CA2574774C - Spring actuated stapler - Google Patents
Spring actuated stapler Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2574774C CA2574774C CA2574774A CA2574774A CA2574774C CA 2574774 C CA2574774 C CA 2574774C CA 2574774 A CA2574774 A CA 2574774A CA 2574774 A CA2574774 A CA 2574774A CA 2574774 C CA2574774 C CA 2574774C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- actuator
- leaf spring
- stapler
- striking plate
- spring
- 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.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25C—HAND-HELD NAILING OR STAPLING TOOLS; MANUALLY OPERATED PORTABLE STAPLING TOOLS
- B25C5/00—Manually operated portable stapling tools; Hand-held power-operated stapling tools; Staple feeding devices therefor
- B25C5/02—Manually operated portable stapling tools; Hand-held power-operated stapling tools; Staple feeding devices therefor with provision for bending the ends of the staples on to the work
- B25C5/0221—Stapling tools of the table model type, i.e. tools supported by a table or the work during operation
- B25C5/0242—Stapling tools of the table model type, i.e. tools supported by a table or the work during operation having a pivoting upper leg and a leg provided with an anvil supported by the table or work
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Portable Nailing Machines And Staplers (AREA)
Abstract
The stapling apparatus comprises a striking plate (123) for individually dispensing the staples (126) upon actuation by a striker spring (120), and a triggering mechanism for triggering the actuation of the striker spring (120).
In an embodiment, the triggering mechanism comprises an triggering lever (110) which engages with the striker spring (120) to lift the striking plate (123), and, when actuated by a release bar (132), disengages itself from the striking plate (123) to release the striking plate (123).
In an embodiment, the triggering mechanism comprises an triggering lever (110) which engages with the striker spring (120) to lift the striking plate (123), and, when actuated by a release bar (132), disengages itself from the striking plate (123) to release the striking plate (123).
Description
SPRING ACTUATED STAPLER
Technical Field The present invention relates to a stapling apparatus, and more particularly, to a spring actuated stapler with a simplified triggering mechanism.
Background Art In a spring-actuated stapler, a striking plate is reciprocally movable between an initial position and a fire position. When the striking plate moves from the initial position to the fire position, a striker spring, which is engaged with an opening in the striking plate, is deformed and energized. When the striking plate reaches the fire position, the striker spring is released to resume its initial shape, in the process driving the striking plate to its initial position to dispense to a work piece a leading staple of a stable stick contained in a staple magazine. An actuation lever is provided to pull, either though a direct engagement with the striking plate or through an engagement with the striker spring (which may be a leaf spring), the striking plate from the initial position to the fire position when a force is applied on a cover plate of the stapler during a stapling operation. When the striking plate reaches the fire position, the actuation lever disengages itself from the striking plate or from the striker spring, so that the striking plate is driven back from the fire position to the initial position by the striker spring.
There are numerous spring actuation mechanisms to carry out the above operations, however, efforts have never stopped in designing better ones with improvement in simplicity, preciseness and reliability.
Disclosure of Invention The present invention is directed to a stapling apparatus with a novel spring actuated mechanism.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a lever running most of the length of the entire stapler is used to load the spring, providing a relatively large loading force with a relatively low amount of user applied pressure, due to the leveraging.
In an exemplary embodiment, the stapling apparatus of the present invention comprises a base member and a magazine member for accommodating a set of staples or a staple stick therein, each member having a first end and a second end, the two members being pivotally connected to each other at the first ends, a striking plate for individually dispensing the staples upon actuation by a striker spring, and a triggering mechanism for triggering the actuation of the striker spring.
More specifically, as taught by the present invention, the triggering mechanism comprises a triggering lever arranged between the base member and the magazine member such that the triggering lever triggers the actuation of the striker spring when the second ends of the two members are moved toward each other. With the triggering lever provided between the base member and the magazine member, the design of the stapler is simplified and utilizes a much smaller number of components.
Preferably, the triggering lever is made of a resilient material, and has a lower end secured to an upper surface of the base member and an upper end freely abutting against an under surface of the staple magazine, whereby normally biasing the second ends of the two members away from each other by a proper distance for accepting a work piece. Thus, the stapler of the present invention may not need an additional raiser element to keep the distance between the base member and the magazine member.
Preferably, the striking spring has a first end to engage with an opening formed on the striking plate for moving the striking plate between a first position and a second position, and the triggering lever engages with the striker spring to force the striker spring to deform during a stapling operation whereby the striker spring brings the striking plate from the first position to the second position. No direct engagement is needed between the triggering lever and the striking plate, thereby simplifying the design of the stapler.
Preferably, a release mechanism is provided to release the engagement between the triggering lever and the striker spring when the striking plate reaches the second position, whereby the striker spring resumes its initial shape and thus powerfully drives the striking plate back to the first position for dispensing a leading one of the staples.
Alternatively, similar to the prior art, the triggering lever may directly engage with the striking plate but not with the striker spring. However, the cover plate in the prior art may be omitted with the teaching of the present invention.
According a second aspect of the present invention, a stapler with a novel leaf spring actuation mechanism is provided. According to the teaching of the present invention, the stapler comprises a striking plate for dispensing a staple from a staple magazine, a leaf spring engaged with the striking plate for driving said striking plate, and an actuation bar for lifting the leaf spring from a first position to a second position whereby lifting the striking plate from an initial position to a release position in which the leaf spring is released from the actuation bar to powerfully drive the striking plate towards the initial position.
In a preferred embodiment, the actuation bar comprises a laterally protruding lug which is adapted to push upward a tab provided on the leaf spring so as to lift the leaf spring when an external force is applied to the actuation bar.
Technical Field The present invention relates to a stapling apparatus, and more particularly, to a spring actuated stapler with a simplified triggering mechanism.
Background Art In a spring-actuated stapler, a striking plate is reciprocally movable between an initial position and a fire position. When the striking plate moves from the initial position to the fire position, a striker spring, which is engaged with an opening in the striking plate, is deformed and energized. When the striking plate reaches the fire position, the striker spring is released to resume its initial shape, in the process driving the striking plate to its initial position to dispense to a work piece a leading staple of a stable stick contained in a staple magazine. An actuation lever is provided to pull, either though a direct engagement with the striking plate or through an engagement with the striker spring (which may be a leaf spring), the striking plate from the initial position to the fire position when a force is applied on a cover plate of the stapler during a stapling operation. When the striking plate reaches the fire position, the actuation lever disengages itself from the striking plate or from the striker spring, so that the striking plate is driven back from the fire position to the initial position by the striker spring.
There are numerous spring actuation mechanisms to carry out the above operations, however, efforts have never stopped in designing better ones with improvement in simplicity, preciseness and reliability.
Disclosure of Invention The present invention is directed to a stapling apparatus with a novel spring actuated mechanism.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a lever running most of the length of the entire stapler is used to load the spring, providing a relatively large loading force with a relatively low amount of user applied pressure, due to the leveraging.
In an exemplary embodiment, the stapling apparatus of the present invention comprises a base member and a magazine member for accommodating a set of staples or a staple stick therein, each member having a first end and a second end, the two members being pivotally connected to each other at the first ends, a striking plate for individually dispensing the staples upon actuation by a striker spring, and a triggering mechanism for triggering the actuation of the striker spring.
More specifically, as taught by the present invention, the triggering mechanism comprises a triggering lever arranged between the base member and the magazine member such that the triggering lever triggers the actuation of the striker spring when the second ends of the two members are moved toward each other. With the triggering lever provided between the base member and the magazine member, the design of the stapler is simplified and utilizes a much smaller number of components.
Preferably, the triggering lever is made of a resilient material, and has a lower end secured to an upper surface of the base member and an upper end freely abutting against an under surface of the staple magazine, whereby normally biasing the second ends of the two members away from each other by a proper distance for accepting a work piece. Thus, the stapler of the present invention may not need an additional raiser element to keep the distance between the base member and the magazine member.
Preferably, the striking spring has a first end to engage with an opening formed on the striking plate for moving the striking plate between a first position and a second position, and the triggering lever engages with the striker spring to force the striker spring to deform during a stapling operation whereby the striker spring brings the striking plate from the first position to the second position. No direct engagement is needed between the triggering lever and the striking plate, thereby simplifying the design of the stapler.
Preferably, a release mechanism is provided to release the engagement between the triggering lever and the striker spring when the striking plate reaches the second position, whereby the striker spring resumes its initial shape and thus powerfully drives the striking plate back to the first position for dispensing a leading one of the staples.
Alternatively, similar to the prior art, the triggering lever may directly engage with the striking plate but not with the striker spring. However, the cover plate in the prior art may be omitted with the teaching of the present invention.
According a second aspect of the present invention, a stapler with a novel leaf spring actuation mechanism is provided. According to the teaching of the present invention, the stapler comprises a striking plate for dispensing a staple from a staple magazine, a leaf spring engaged with the striking plate for driving said striking plate, and an actuation bar for lifting the leaf spring from a first position to a second position whereby lifting the striking plate from an initial position to a release position in which the leaf spring is released from the actuation bar to powerfully drive the striking plate towards the initial position.
In a preferred embodiment, the actuation bar comprises a laterally protruding lug which is adapted to push upward a tab provided on the leaf spring so as to lift the leaf spring when an external force is applied to the actuation bar.
Preferably, the tab disengages itself from the lug when the leaf spring reaches the second position where the striking plate is lifted to the release position.
Preferably, the actuation bar has a front end movable along a guiding ramp when the external force is applied to the actuation bar, thus improving reliability and accuracy of the engagement between the lug of the actuation bar and the tab of the leaf spring.
Preferably, the engagement between the tab and the lug is such that the tab slides on an upper surface of the lug towards an edge of the lug when the front end of the actuation bar moves along the guiding ramp, and drops from the edge of the lug when the leaf spring reaches the second position, whereby releasing the leaf spring from the actuation bar.
Brief Description of Drawinjzs The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will be clearer by reading the detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the stapler of a first embodiment according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the stapler shown in Figure 1;
Figures 3a and 3b illustrate, in a larger scale, the operational components shown in Figure 1 when the striking plate is at its initial position and fire position, respectively;
Figure 4 illustrates the relative movements between the cover plate and the body;
Figure 5 illustrates a stapler of a second embodiment according to the present invention;
Figures 6a, 6b and 6c illustrate a stapler of a third embodiment according to the present invention;
Fig. 7 illustrates a stapler of a fourth embodiment according to the present invention;
Figs 8a and 8b illustrate the operational components in Fig. 7 when the striking plate is at its initial position and fire position, respectively;
Fig. 9a schematically and partially illustrates a fifth embodiment of the stapler according to the present invention;
Fig. 9b schematically illustrates the paths of the returning movement of the lugs and tabs in Fig. 9a; and Fig. l0a - l Od are partial perspective views showing an embodiment of the actuation mechanism of the stapler at various operational stages according to the present invention.
Preferably, the actuation bar has a front end movable along a guiding ramp when the external force is applied to the actuation bar, thus improving reliability and accuracy of the engagement between the lug of the actuation bar and the tab of the leaf spring.
Preferably, the engagement between the tab and the lug is such that the tab slides on an upper surface of the lug towards an edge of the lug when the front end of the actuation bar moves along the guiding ramp, and drops from the edge of the lug when the leaf spring reaches the second position, whereby releasing the leaf spring from the actuation bar.
Brief Description of Drawinjzs The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will be clearer by reading the detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the stapler of a first embodiment according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the stapler shown in Figure 1;
Figures 3a and 3b illustrate, in a larger scale, the operational components shown in Figure 1 when the striking plate is at its initial position and fire position, respectively;
Figure 4 illustrates the relative movements between the cover plate and the body;
Figure 5 illustrates a stapler of a second embodiment according to the present invention;
Figures 6a, 6b and 6c illustrate a stapler of a third embodiment according to the present invention;
Fig. 7 illustrates a stapler of a fourth embodiment according to the present invention;
Figs 8a and 8b illustrate the operational components in Fig. 7 when the striking plate is at its initial position and fire position, respectively;
Fig. 9a schematically and partially illustrates a fifth embodiment of the stapler according to the present invention;
Fig. 9b schematically illustrates the paths of the returning movement of the lugs and tabs in Fig. 9a; and Fig. l0a - l Od are partial perspective views showing an embodiment of the actuation mechanism of the stapler at various operational stages according to the present invention.
Best Mode of CarrYing Out the Invention As shown in Fig. 1, the stapler 100 of the first embodiment according to the present invention generally comprises a base 101, a body 102 having a front end 102b and a rear end 102a, and a cover plate 103 having a front end 103b and a rear end 103a. The body 102, which basically comprises a staple magazine 125 (most clearly in Figs. 3a and 3b) for accommodating a set of staples or a staple stick 126, is pivotally connected to a pair of upstanding bracket plates 104 fixedly secured on the upper surface 111 of the base 101 near a rear end 101 a thereof.
Similarly, the cover plate 103 is pivotally connected to the bracket plates 104 too. Proper mechanism (not shown) is also provided to prevent the cover plate 103 and the body 102 from undesirably swinging away from the base 101 without a proper force applied by a user.
As shown in Fig. 2, a striking plate 123 is conventionally provided in front of the staple magazine 125 for individually dispensing the staples from the staple stick 126 contained in the staple magazine 125 during a stapling operation. Upon actuation of a striker spring 120 during each stapling operation, the striking plate 123 can reciprocally move vertically between an initial position as shown Fig. 3a and a fire or release position as shown in Fig. 3b.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a triggering lever 110 is provided between the base 101 and the body 102, and extends forwardly (i.e., in a direction toward the front ends 101 b, 102b) from the upper surface 111 of the base 101 to an under surface 129 of the body 102. The lower end l0a is preferably fixed to the upper surface 111 of the base 101, while the upper end 110b freely abuts against the under surface 129 of the body 102. Thus, the triggering lever 110 is inclined to slide forward toward the front ends 101b, 102b of the base 101 and the body along the under surface 129 when front ends 101 b, 102b are forced to move closer to each other.
Preferably, the triggering lever 110 is made of a resilient material, and thus also serves as a raiser element that normally biases the base 101 and the body 102 away from each other by a proper distance, as illustrated in Fig. 2, for accepting a work piece 140, such as a stack of papers, therebetween.
The striker spring 120 is mounted on a lateral shaft 141. An end 120a of the striker spring 120 is secured by a stop plate 124 fixed on the body 102, and another end 120c of the striker spring 120 engages with an opening formed on the striking plate 123 (more clearly shown in Figs. 3a and 3b). The middle or engagement portion 120b of the striker spring 120 engages with the upper end 1 l Ob of the triggering lever 110 when the body 102 and the base 101 are moved closer to each other, whereby the forward movement of the upper end I l0a of the triggering lever 110 forces the striker spring 120 to deform and rotate clockwise, and the end 120c moves upward, bringing the striking plate 123 to move from the initial position to the fire position, as will be explained in more detail below.
As shown in Figure 3a, before a stapling operation, the striking plate 123 stays in its initial position and fills in the dispensing gap 128. The staple stick 126 is biased toward the striking plate 123 by a biasing spring 127, with a leading staple 126a being pressed against the striking plate 123. At this time, a release bar 132 extending from the cover plate 103 does not touch the triggering lever 110.
During a stapling operation, a pressure is applied on the cover plate 103 to move the body 102 toward the base 101. The upper end 1 l Ob of the triggering lever 110, which engages with the engagement portion 120b of the striker spring 120, slides forward along the under surface 129 and pushes the striker spring 120 to deform and rotate clockwise around the lateral shaft 141.
The free end 120c is forced to move upward, thereby lifting the striking plate 123 to the fire position as shown in Fig. 3b. At the same time, energy is stored in the deformed striker spring 120. Under biasing force of the spring 127, the staple stick 126 is pushed forward and the leading staple 126a enters the dispensing gap 128 left by the lifted striking plate 123.
When the striking plate 123 reaches the fire position as shown in Fig. 3b, the upper end 1 l Ob still engages with the engagement position 120b. However, at this point, the release bar 132 has reached the triggering lever 110, because a stop 131 has now slid down a slope 122, as explained later in more detail, permitting the release bar 132 to move downwardly. Thus, upon further pressing the cover plate 103, the release bar 132 will press the triggering lever 110 downwardly to leave and disengage from the engagement portion 120b of the striker spring 120, whereby the striker spring 120 is released to resume its initial shape.
Thus, with the energy released from the striker spring 120, the striker spring 120 powerfully drives the striking plate 123 back to its initial position as shown in Fig. 3a, and the striking plate 123 in turn strikes the leading staple 126a in the dispensing gap 128 into the work piece 140. With the appropriately shaped stapling recesses l l la provided on the upper surface 111, the leading staple 126a is bent and stapled to the work piece 140 in a conventional way.
The striking plate 123 resumes its initial position and fills in the dispensing gap 128 as shown in Fig. 3a, ready for a next stapling operation.
To facilitate returning of the triggering lever 110 after the striking spring 120 resumes its initial shape, the engagement portion 120b of the striker spring 120 preferably has a generally round forward portion so that the upper end 110b of the triggering lever 110 can easily slide over the engagement portion 120b back to its initial position. However, the backward portion is preferably flat or slightly concave for providing solid engagement with the upper end 110b of the triggering lever l 10 before the striking plate reaches the fire position.
Preferably, the release bar 132 has an inclined lower edge 132a so as to provide a better contact with the triggering lever 110.
As mentioned above, before the stapling operation, the release bar 132 does not touch the triggering lever 120, as shown in Fig. 3a. This is realized by a gap provided between the under surface 103d of the cover plate 103 and the upper surface 121 of the body 102.
More specifically, a stop 131 is provided depending from the under surface 103d of the cover plate 103 near the front end 103b and rests on an edge portion 121 a of the top surface 121 near the front end 102b. Preferably, the edge portion 121b is formed with a forwardly inclined slope 122. The edge portion 121 b may be made of a different material from that of the upper surface 121 (as shown), or may simply be a portion of the upper surface.
During the stapling operation, the cover plate 103 moves relative to the body 102, and the stop 131 will leave the edge portion 121 a, thus decreasing the gap between the under surface 103d of the cover plate 103 and the upper surface 121 of the body 102, whereby moving the release bar 132 downwardly relative to the body 102 so as to press on the triggering lever 110. The relative movement between the cover plate 103 and the body 102 will be explained with more detail below.
As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the cover plate 103 is pivotally connected to the bracket plates 104 (which are fixed to the base 101) at a pivotal point 103c, while the body 102 is pivotally connected to the bracket plate 104 at a pivotal point 102c. As shown in Fig.
5, when both the cover plate 103 and the body 102 are rotated around respective pivotal points 103c and 102c, the rotational radius RI of the stop 131 is larger than the rotational radius R2 of the edge portion 121 a. Thus, when the cover plate 103 and the body 102 rotate together, the stop 131 will gradually slide along the slope 122 and finally leave the edge portion 121a, which decreases the gap between the under surface 103d of the cover plate 103 and the upper surface 121 of the body 102.
Figure 5 shows a second embodiment which is similar to that shown in Fig. 3a and 3b. In this embodiment, the cover plate 103 is spaced from the upper surface 121 by a compressed spring 133. Before the striking plate 123 reaches its fire position (such as shown in Fig. 3b) during a stapling operation, the compressed spring 133 is strong enough to prevent the cover plate 103 to move closer to the body 102. When the striking plate 123 reaches its fire position, the triggering lever 110 still engages with the engagement portion 120b of the striker spring 120, and the body 102 continues to move downward until it rests on the work piece 140. Then, further applying pressure on the cover plate 103 will overcome the force of the compressed spring 133 and move the cover plate 103 downwardly relative to the body 102, whereby the release bar 132 presses on the triggering lever 110 to release the triggering lever 110 from engagement with the engagement portion 120b of the striker spring 120.
Conceivably, in this embodiment, the pivotal points 102c, 103c of the cover plate 103 and the body 102 (Fig. 2) can be the same or close to each other.
Figures 6a, 6b and 6c illustrate a third embodiment similar to Figs 1- 5. In this embodiment, the triggering lever 110 is formed with a square opening 1 l Oc near the upper end 110b. Fig. 6a shows the status before a stapling operation. Fig. 6b shows that the striking plate 123 reaches the fire position during a stapling operation, in which the engagement portion 120b of the striker spring 120 reaches the edge of the opening 110c of the triggering lever 110. Upon further pressing the body 102 toward the base 101, the engagement portion 120b of the striker spring 120 will snap back into the opening 110c of the triggering lever 110 as shown in Fig.
6c, thereby releasing the force that the triggering lever 110 has been applying on the striker spring 120. The striking spring 120 resumes its initial shape and actuates the striking plate 123 to dispense the staple 126b, with the engagement portion 120 staying inside the opening 110c.
After the stapling operation, the user may lift the body 102 from the base 101 to help removing the engagement portion 120b of the striker spring 102 from the opening 110c, thus the triggering lever 110 can return to its initial position. In this embodiment, the cover plate 103 and the release bar 132 are not needed, and the force can be applied directly to the upper surface 121 of the body 102 for the stapling operation.
Fig. 7 illustrates a fourth embodiment according to the present invention.
Unlike the previous embodiments in which the triggering lever 110 moves the striking plate 123 through the striker spring 120, in this embodiment, the triggering lever 110 does not directly engage with the striker spring 120, but instead actuates the striking plate 123 by means of an L-shaped transmission element 150 rotatably mounted on a lateral shaft 151. The upper end 110b of the triggering lever 110 abuts against the lower end 150b of the transmission element 150, while the upper end 150a of the transmission element 150 engages with an opening in the striking plate 123. With a proper return spring mechanism (not shown), the transmission element 150 is biased to the position as shown in Fig. 7, where the striking plate 123 rests at its initial position and the upper end 150a engages with the opening in the striking plate 123.
Similar to the previous embodiments, the striker spring 120 is mounted on a lateral shaft 141.
One end 120a of the striker spring 120 is retained by a stop plate 124, while the other end 120c engages with an aperture formed on the striking plate 123.
Before the stapling operation, as shown in Fig. 8a, the striking plate 123 stays in the initial position and fills in the dispensing gap 128. The staple stick 126 in the staple magazine 125 is biased forward by the spring 127, with a leading staple 126a pressed against the striking plate 123.
Similarly, the cover plate 103 is pivotally connected to the bracket plates 104 too. Proper mechanism (not shown) is also provided to prevent the cover plate 103 and the body 102 from undesirably swinging away from the base 101 without a proper force applied by a user.
As shown in Fig. 2, a striking plate 123 is conventionally provided in front of the staple magazine 125 for individually dispensing the staples from the staple stick 126 contained in the staple magazine 125 during a stapling operation. Upon actuation of a striker spring 120 during each stapling operation, the striking plate 123 can reciprocally move vertically between an initial position as shown Fig. 3a and a fire or release position as shown in Fig. 3b.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a triggering lever 110 is provided between the base 101 and the body 102, and extends forwardly (i.e., in a direction toward the front ends 101 b, 102b) from the upper surface 111 of the base 101 to an under surface 129 of the body 102. The lower end l0a is preferably fixed to the upper surface 111 of the base 101, while the upper end 110b freely abuts against the under surface 129 of the body 102. Thus, the triggering lever 110 is inclined to slide forward toward the front ends 101b, 102b of the base 101 and the body along the under surface 129 when front ends 101 b, 102b are forced to move closer to each other.
Preferably, the triggering lever 110 is made of a resilient material, and thus also serves as a raiser element that normally biases the base 101 and the body 102 away from each other by a proper distance, as illustrated in Fig. 2, for accepting a work piece 140, such as a stack of papers, therebetween.
The striker spring 120 is mounted on a lateral shaft 141. An end 120a of the striker spring 120 is secured by a stop plate 124 fixed on the body 102, and another end 120c of the striker spring 120 engages with an opening formed on the striking plate 123 (more clearly shown in Figs. 3a and 3b). The middle or engagement portion 120b of the striker spring 120 engages with the upper end 1 l Ob of the triggering lever 110 when the body 102 and the base 101 are moved closer to each other, whereby the forward movement of the upper end I l0a of the triggering lever 110 forces the striker spring 120 to deform and rotate clockwise, and the end 120c moves upward, bringing the striking plate 123 to move from the initial position to the fire position, as will be explained in more detail below.
As shown in Figure 3a, before a stapling operation, the striking plate 123 stays in its initial position and fills in the dispensing gap 128. The staple stick 126 is biased toward the striking plate 123 by a biasing spring 127, with a leading staple 126a being pressed against the striking plate 123. At this time, a release bar 132 extending from the cover plate 103 does not touch the triggering lever 110.
During a stapling operation, a pressure is applied on the cover plate 103 to move the body 102 toward the base 101. The upper end 1 l Ob of the triggering lever 110, which engages with the engagement portion 120b of the striker spring 120, slides forward along the under surface 129 and pushes the striker spring 120 to deform and rotate clockwise around the lateral shaft 141.
The free end 120c is forced to move upward, thereby lifting the striking plate 123 to the fire position as shown in Fig. 3b. At the same time, energy is stored in the deformed striker spring 120. Under biasing force of the spring 127, the staple stick 126 is pushed forward and the leading staple 126a enters the dispensing gap 128 left by the lifted striking plate 123.
When the striking plate 123 reaches the fire position as shown in Fig. 3b, the upper end 1 l Ob still engages with the engagement position 120b. However, at this point, the release bar 132 has reached the triggering lever 110, because a stop 131 has now slid down a slope 122, as explained later in more detail, permitting the release bar 132 to move downwardly. Thus, upon further pressing the cover plate 103, the release bar 132 will press the triggering lever 110 downwardly to leave and disengage from the engagement portion 120b of the striker spring 120, whereby the striker spring 120 is released to resume its initial shape.
Thus, with the energy released from the striker spring 120, the striker spring 120 powerfully drives the striking plate 123 back to its initial position as shown in Fig. 3a, and the striking plate 123 in turn strikes the leading staple 126a in the dispensing gap 128 into the work piece 140. With the appropriately shaped stapling recesses l l la provided on the upper surface 111, the leading staple 126a is bent and stapled to the work piece 140 in a conventional way.
The striking plate 123 resumes its initial position and fills in the dispensing gap 128 as shown in Fig. 3a, ready for a next stapling operation.
To facilitate returning of the triggering lever 110 after the striking spring 120 resumes its initial shape, the engagement portion 120b of the striker spring 120 preferably has a generally round forward portion so that the upper end 110b of the triggering lever 110 can easily slide over the engagement portion 120b back to its initial position. However, the backward portion is preferably flat or slightly concave for providing solid engagement with the upper end 110b of the triggering lever l 10 before the striking plate reaches the fire position.
Preferably, the release bar 132 has an inclined lower edge 132a so as to provide a better contact with the triggering lever 110.
As mentioned above, before the stapling operation, the release bar 132 does not touch the triggering lever 120, as shown in Fig. 3a. This is realized by a gap provided between the under surface 103d of the cover plate 103 and the upper surface 121 of the body 102.
More specifically, a stop 131 is provided depending from the under surface 103d of the cover plate 103 near the front end 103b and rests on an edge portion 121 a of the top surface 121 near the front end 102b. Preferably, the edge portion 121b is formed with a forwardly inclined slope 122. The edge portion 121 b may be made of a different material from that of the upper surface 121 (as shown), or may simply be a portion of the upper surface.
During the stapling operation, the cover plate 103 moves relative to the body 102, and the stop 131 will leave the edge portion 121 a, thus decreasing the gap between the under surface 103d of the cover plate 103 and the upper surface 121 of the body 102, whereby moving the release bar 132 downwardly relative to the body 102 so as to press on the triggering lever 110. The relative movement between the cover plate 103 and the body 102 will be explained with more detail below.
As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the cover plate 103 is pivotally connected to the bracket plates 104 (which are fixed to the base 101) at a pivotal point 103c, while the body 102 is pivotally connected to the bracket plate 104 at a pivotal point 102c. As shown in Fig.
5, when both the cover plate 103 and the body 102 are rotated around respective pivotal points 103c and 102c, the rotational radius RI of the stop 131 is larger than the rotational radius R2 of the edge portion 121 a. Thus, when the cover plate 103 and the body 102 rotate together, the stop 131 will gradually slide along the slope 122 and finally leave the edge portion 121a, which decreases the gap between the under surface 103d of the cover plate 103 and the upper surface 121 of the body 102.
Figure 5 shows a second embodiment which is similar to that shown in Fig. 3a and 3b. In this embodiment, the cover plate 103 is spaced from the upper surface 121 by a compressed spring 133. Before the striking plate 123 reaches its fire position (such as shown in Fig. 3b) during a stapling operation, the compressed spring 133 is strong enough to prevent the cover plate 103 to move closer to the body 102. When the striking plate 123 reaches its fire position, the triggering lever 110 still engages with the engagement portion 120b of the striker spring 120, and the body 102 continues to move downward until it rests on the work piece 140. Then, further applying pressure on the cover plate 103 will overcome the force of the compressed spring 133 and move the cover plate 103 downwardly relative to the body 102, whereby the release bar 132 presses on the triggering lever 110 to release the triggering lever 110 from engagement with the engagement portion 120b of the striker spring 120.
Conceivably, in this embodiment, the pivotal points 102c, 103c of the cover plate 103 and the body 102 (Fig. 2) can be the same or close to each other.
Figures 6a, 6b and 6c illustrate a third embodiment similar to Figs 1- 5. In this embodiment, the triggering lever 110 is formed with a square opening 1 l Oc near the upper end 110b. Fig. 6a shows the status before a stapling operation. Fig. 6b shows that the striking plate 123 reaches the fire position during a stapling operation, in which the engagement portion 120b of the striker spring 120 reaches the edge of the opening 110c of the triggering lever 110. Upon further pressing the body 102 toward the base 101, the engagement portion 120b of the striker spring 120 will snap back into the opening 110c of the triggering lever 110 as shown in Fig.
6c, thereby releasing the force that the triggering lever 110 has been applying on the striker spring 120. The striking spring 120 resumes its initial shape and actuates the striking plate 123 to dispense the staple 126b, with the engagement portion 120 staying inside the opening 110c.
After the stapling operation, the user may lift the body 102 from the base 101 to help removing the engagement portion 120b of the striker spring 102 from the opening 110c, thus the triggering lever 110 can return to its initial position. In this embodiment, the cover plate 103 and the release bar 132 are not needed, and the force can be applied directly to the upper surface 121 of the body 102 for the stapling operation.
Fig. 7 illustrates a fourth embodiment according to the present invention.
Unlike the previous embodiments in which the triggering lever 110 moves the striking plate 123 through the striker spring 120, in this embodiment, the triggering lever 110 does not directly engage with the striker spring 120, but instead actuates the striking plate 123 by means of an L-shaped transmission element 150 rotatably mounted on a lateral shaft 151. The upper end 110b of the triggering lever 110 abuts against the lower end 150b of the transmission element 150, while the upper end 150a of the transmission element 150 engages with an opening in the striking plate 123. With a proper return spring mechanism (not shown), the transmission element 150 is biased to the position as shown in Fig. 7, where the striking plate 123 rests at its initial position and the upper end 150a engages with the opening in the striking plate 123.
Similar to the previous embodiments, the striker spring 120 is mounted on a lateral shaft 141.
One end 120a of the striker spring 120 is retained by a stop plate 124, while the other end 120c engages with an aperture formed on the striking plate 123.
Before the stapling operation, as shown in Fig. 8a, the striking plate 123 stays in the initial position and fills in the dispensing gap 128. The staple stick 126 in the staple magazine 125 is biased forward by the spring 127, with a leading staple 126a pressed against the striking plate 123.
Similar to the previous embodiments, the triggering lever 110 is preferably made of a resilient material and servers as a raiser element to keep the body 102 and the base 101 away from each other by a proper distance for accepting a work piece 140. Before the stapling operation, the upper end 110b abuts the lower end 150b of the transmission element 150, while the upper end 150a of the transmission element 150 engages with the opening on the striking plate 123 under the biasing force of the return spring mechanism (not shown).
During a stapling operation, a pressure is applied on the cover or upper surface 121 of the body 102 so as to move the body 102 toward the base 101. The upper end 110b of the triggering lever 110 moves forward and forces the L-shaped transmission element 150 to rotate clockwise around the shaft 151, whereby the upper end 150a moves upward against the force of the return spring mechanism as well as the force of the spring 120, and lifts the striking plate 123 to the fire position as shown in Fig. 8b. At the fire position shown in Fig. 8b, the striking plate 123 leaves the dispensing gap 128, and the leading staple 126a is forced by the spring 127 to enter the dispensing gap 128. The up-going striking plate 123 forces the end 120c of the striker spring 120 to move upward and deforms and energizes the striker spring 120. In the fire position shown in Fig. 8b, the upper end 150a of the transmission element 150 is ready to disengage from the opening of the striking plate 123. Thus, further pressing on the body 102 will further rotate the transmission element 150 to release the upper end 150a from the opening of the striking plate 123. Without the upward force applied by the transmission element 150 on the striking plate 123, the deformed striker spring 120 powerfully drives the striking plate 123 downward back to its initial position as shown in Fig. 8a to dispense the leading staple 126a in the dispending gap 128 to the work piece 140.
After the striking plate 123 resumes its initial position, the force applied on the cover or upper surface 121 of the body 102 may be removed. The resilient triggering lever 110 moves back to its initial position, releasing its engagement with the lower end 150b of the transmission element 150. The transmission element 150 returns to its initial position as shown in Fig. 8a under the biasing force of the return spring mechanism (not shown), and the upper end 150a re-engages with the opening of the striking plate. All the components are now ready for next stapling operation again.
In a further embodiment of a conventional stapler, the stapler a mainly comprises a magazine for accommodating a staple stick 41, a base 50 for placing a work piece 70 (such as a stack of paper) thereon, and a cover 60 for accepting a pressing force from a user for a stapling operation, as illustrated in Figs. 9a and 9b. During a stapling operation, the striking plate 10 is first lifted from an initial position to a fire or release position (as shown in dashed line), 35 leaving a slot space below into which a single staple is pushed from the staple stick 41 under a biasing force from the compressed spring 42. When the striking plate 10 is driven from the release position back to its initial position, the single staple is driven into the work piece 70 on the base 50 to staple the work piece 70.
As schematically illustrated in Fig. 9a, the actuation mechanism of this embodiment of the present invention mainly comprises a leaf spring 20 for driving the striking plate 10 between the initial position and the release position, and an actuation bar 30 for lifting the leaf spring 20 from a lower position to an upper position (as shown in das hed lines) so as to lift the striking plate 10 from the initial position to the release position. As will be explained in more detail below, when the leaf spring 20 reaches the upper position and therefore the striking plate 10 is brought to the release position, the leaf spring 20 is released from the actuation bar 30, and powerfully drives the striking plate 10 from the release position back to the initial position when the leaf spring 10 returns from the upper position to the lower position.
A front end 22 of the leaf spring 20 engages with the striking plate 10 (e.g., by an opening in the striking plate 10) so that the front end 22 of the leaf spring 20 moves together with the striking plate 10, whereby driving the striking plate 10 to move vertically between the initial position and the release position. A back end 23 of the leaf spring 20 is fixed to the magazine 40, for example, on an upper surface 43 of the housing body of the magazine 40.
When there is no external force applied to the actuation bar 30, the actuation bar 30 is in an idle position, the leaf spring 20 remains in the lower position, and the striking plate 10 rests in the initial position, as shown by the solid lines. During the stapling operation, the leaf spring 20 is lifted from the lower position to the upper position and brings the striking plate 10 from the initial position to the release position. At the same time, the leaf spring 20 is loaded when it is lifted upwards.
In the stapling operation, an external force ("F" in Fig. 9a) is applied to the actuation bar 30, e.g., by pressing on the cover 60. Under the external force, the actuation bar 30 comes into engagement with the leaf spring 20 and lifts the leaf spring 20 from the lower position to the upper position, whereby bringing the striking plate 10 from the initial position to the release position, as described above.
In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Fig. 9a, the actuation bar 30 has a rounded L-shaped front end 32. In the idle position, the L-shaped front end 32 is slightly apart from a ramp 33 formed on the upper surface 43 of the magazine 40. When the external force is applied to the actuation bar 30, the front end 32 is pushed forward to abut against the ramp 33 and moves upward along the ramp 33. Alternatively, the front ends 32 of the actuation bar 30 may abut the ram 33 when the actuation bar 30 is in its initial position, as illustrated in Figs. l0a-lOd.
During a stapling operation, a pressure is applied on the cover or upper surface 121 of the body 102 so as to move the body 102 toward the base 101. The upper end 110b of the triggering lever 110 moves forward and forces the L-shaped transmission element 150 to rotate clockwise around the shaft 151, whereby the upper end 150a moves upward against the force of the return spring mechanism as well as the force of the spring 120, and lifts the striking plate 123 to the fire position as shown in Fig. 8b. At the fire position shown in Fig. 8b, the striking plate 123 leaves the dispensing gap 128, and the leading staple 126a is forced by the spring 127 to enter the dispensing gap 128. The up-going striking plate 123 forces the end 120c of the striker spring 120 to move upward and deforms and energizes the striker spring 120. In the fire position shown in Fig. 8b, the upper end 150a of the transmission element 150 is ready to disengage from the opening of the striking plate 123. Thus, further pressing on the body 102 will further rotate the transmission element 150 to release the upper end 150a from the opening of the striking plate 123. Without the upward force applied by the transmission element 150 on the striking plate 123, the deformed striker spring 120 powerfully drives the striking plate 123 downward back to its initial position as shown in Fig. 8a to dispense the leading staple 126a in the dispending gap 128 to the work piece 140.
After the striking plate 123 resumes its initial position, the force applied on the cover or upper surface 121 of the body 102 may be removed. The resilient triggering lever 110 moves back to its initial position, releasing its engagement with the lower end 150b of the transmission element 150. The transmission element 150 returns to its initial position as shown in Fig. 8a under the biasing force of the return spring mechanism (not shown), and the upper end 150a re-engages with the opening of the striking plate. All the components are now ready for next stapling operation again.
In a further embodiment of a conventional stapler, the stapler a mainly comprises a magazine for accommodating a staple stick 41, a base 50 for placing a work piece 70 (such as a stack of paper) thereon, and a cover 60 for accepting a pressing force from a user for a stapling operation, as illustrated in Figs. 9a and 9b. During a stapling operation, the striking plate 10 is first lifted from an initial position to a fire or release position (as shown in dashed line), 35 leaving a slot space below into which a single staple is pushed from the staple stick 41 under a biasing force from the compressed spring 42. When the striking plate 10 is driven from the release position back to its initial position, the single staple is driven into the work piece 70 on the base 50 to staple the work piece 70.
As schematically illustrated in Fig. 9a, the actuation mechanism of this embodiment of the present invention mainly comprises a leaf spring 20 for driving the striking plate 10 between the initial position and the release position, and an actuation bar 30 for lifting the leaf spring 20 from a lower position to an upper position (as shown in das hed lines) so as to lift the striking plate 10 from the initial position to the release position. As will be explained in more detail below, when the leaf spring 20 reaches the upper position and therefore the striking plate 10 is brought to the release position, the leaf spring 20 is released from the actuation bar 30, and powerfully drives the striking plate 10 from the release position back to the initial position when the leaf spring 10 returns from the upper position to the lower position.
A front end 22 of the leaf spring 20 engages with the striking plate 10 (e.g., by an opening in the striking plate 10) so that the front end 22 of the leaf spring 20 moves together with the striking plate 10, whereby driving the striking plate 10 to move vertically between the initial position and the release position. A back end 23 of the leaf spring 20 is fixed to the magazine 40, for example, on an upper surface 43 of the housing body of the magazine 40.
When there is no external force applied to the actuation bar 30, the actuation bar 30 is in an idle position, the leaf spring 20 remains in the lower position, and the striking plate 10 rests in the initial position, as shown by the solid lines. During the stapling operation, the leaf spring 20 is lifted from the lower position to the upper position and brings the striking plate 10 from the initial position to the release position. At the same time, the leaf spring 20 is loaded when it is lifted upwards.
In the stapling operation, an external force ("F" in Fig. 9a) is applied to the actuation bar 30, e.g., by pressing on the cover 60. Under the external force, the actuation bar 30 comes into engagement with the leaf spring 20 and lifts the leaf spring 20 from the lower position to the upper position, whereby bringing the striking plate 10 from the initial position to the release position, as described above.
In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Fig. 9a, the actuation bar 30 has a rounded L-shaped front end 32. In the idle position, the L-shaped front end 32 is slightly apart from a ramp 33 formed on the upper surface 43 of the magazine 40. When the external force is applied to the actuation bar 30, the front end 32 is pushed forward to abut against the ramp 33 and moves upward along the ramp 33. Alternatively, the front ends 32 of the actuation bar 30 may abut the ram 33 when the actuation bar 30 is in its initial position, as illustrated in Figs. l0a-lOd.
A pair of lugs 31 are provided on the actuation bar 30 (as best shown in Figs.
l0a-lOd), which protrude laterally from the length of the actuation bar 30. When the L-shaped front end 32 is pushed forward (i.e., in a direction toward the striking plate 10) by the external force applied to the actuation bar 30, the lugs 31 come into contact with a pair of tabs 21 (best shown in Figs.
10a-lOd). When the L-shaped front end 32 is pushed, under the external force applied to the actuation bar 30, to moves upward along the ramp 33, the lugs 31 push the tabs 21 upward, whereby lifting the leaf spring 20 toward its upper position as shown in dashed lines, and at the same time loading the leaf spring 20. Consequently, the striking plate 10 is lifted by the front end 22 of the leaf spring 20 to the release position against a biasing force from the leaf spring 20, as shown in dashed lines.
Preferably, when the front end 32 moves upward along the ramp 33, the tabs 21 are able to slide backward along an upper surface of the lugs 31. Thus, the upper surface of the lugs 31 function as a ramp for the tabs 21.
When the leaf spring 20 reaches the upper position and therefore the striking plate 10 reaches the release position, the tabs 21 reach back edges 31a of lugs 31 and drop from the lugs 31 to disengage themselves from the lugs 31. Under the biasing force loaded in the leaf spring 20, the tabs 21 return to their initial positions (i.e., the lower position shown in solid lines), and the load in the leaf spring 20 is released, which powerfully drives the striking plate 10 from the release position to the initial position where the striking plate 10 strikes a stapler into the work piece 70.
Preferably, a biasing mechanism is provided to the actuation bar 30 so that after the external force applied to the actuation bar 30 is released, the actuation bar 30 can automatically return to its initial position (as shown in solid lines) under a biasing force. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9a, the biasing force is provided by a resilient lever 34 which connects the actuation bar 30 at a back end 35 to the upper surface 43 of the magazine 40. When the actuation bar 30 moves forward under the external force applied to it through the cover 60, the resilient lever 34 is brought to bend forward and the biasing force is loaded in the resilient lever 34. When the external force is removed, the load built in the resilient lever 34 is released, and the resilient lever 34 returns to its initial position and pulls the actuation bar 30 back to its initial position as well.
It is important that the lugs 31 of the actuation bar 30 are not obstructed by the tabs 21 (which have returned to their initial positions) on their way of returning to their initial positions after the external force is removed. As illustrated in Fig. 9b, after the external force is removed, the lugs 31 are pulled backward by the biasing force from the resilient lever 34 and move along path "B" which is not obstructed by the tabs 21 already returned to their initial positions from the lugs 31 along the path "A".
Preferably, the lugs 31 may assume an angle (e.g., 30 degree) from a man flat body of the actuation bar 30, as illustrated in Figs. l0a-lOd, which show the actuation mechanism in various operational stages.
Fig. l0a shows the actuation mechanism in a position before or after a stapling operation, in which the actuation bar 30 rests in its initial idle position because there is no external force applied on it. The lugs 31 on the actuation bar 30 are not engaged with the tabs 21 of the leaf spring 20. The striking plate 10 rests in the initial position, and the leaf spring 20 is in the lower position.
During the loading stage of the stapling operation, when the front end 32 of the actuation bar 30 is pushed forward by an external force, the lugs 31 come into engagement with the tabs 31 and push the tabs 21 upward when the front end 32 moves upward along the ramp 33, until the leaf spring 20 reaches the upper position where the striking plate 10 is lifted to the release position, as shown in Figs. l Ob and I Oc in different angels of view. In this stage, the tabs 21 slide backward along the upper surface of the lugs 31 toward the back edges 31 a of the lugs 31.
After the leaf spring 20 reaches the upper position and the striking plate 10 reaches the release position as shown in Figs. I Ob and l Oc, when the L-shaped front end 32 further moves upwards along the ramp 33, the tabs 21 of the leaf spring 10 drops from the back edges 31 a of the lugs 31 to disengage itself from the actuation bar 30. Under the biasing force built in the leaf spring 20 during the loading stage, the leaf spring 20 snaps back to the lower position, and at the same time powerfully drives the striking plate 10 back to the initial position for stapling the work piece 70, as shown in Fig. l Od.
After the stapling operation is finished, the external force is removed from the actuation bar 30.
Under the biasing force from the resilient lever 34 (see Fig. 9a), the actuation bar 30 returns to its initial position, as shown in Fig. 10a, and ready for a next stapling operation.
Although the above has described several preferred embodiments, it is appreciated that numerous adaptations, changes, variations and modifications are possible to a person skilled in the art without departing the spirit of the present invention. For example, For example, the striker spring 120 can be advantageously constructed with dual legs for higher strength.
Alternatively, the striker spring 120 can be a leaf spring. Moreover, the triggering lever 110 may be arranged inside the body 102, such as between the cover plate 103 and the body 102, and not connected to the base 101. The flat shaped tabs 21 may be implemented as a pair of laterally protruding rods mounted on the leaf spring 20. The resilient lever 34 can be replaced by any proper biasing mechanism for returning the actuation bar 30 toward its initial position.
For example, the actuation bar 30 can also be a leaf spring with the back end 35 connected to the cover 60. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is solely intended to be defined by the accompanying claims.
l0a-lOd), which protrude laterally from the length of the actuation bar 30. When the L-shaped front end 32 is pushed forward (i.e., in a direction toward the striking plate 10) by the external force applied to the actuation bar 30, the lugs 31 come into contact with a pair of tabs 21 (best shown in Figs.
10a-lOd). When the L-shaped front end 32 is pushed, under the external force applied to the actuation bar 30, to moves upward along the ramp 33, the lugs 31 push the tabs 21 upward, whereby lifting the leaf spring 20 toward its upper position as shown in dashed lines, and at the same time loading the leaf spring 20. Consequently, the striking plate 10 is lifted by the front end 22 of the leaf spring 20 to the release position against a biasing force from the leaf spring 20, as shown in dashed lines.
Preferably, when the front end 32 moves upward along the ramp 33, the tabs 21 are able to slide backward along an upper surface of the lugs 31. Thus, the upper surface of the lugs 31 function as a ramp for the tabs 21.
When the leaf spring 20 reaches the upper position and therefore the striking plate 10 reaches the release position, the tabs 21 reach back edges 31a of lugs 31 and drop from the lugs 31 to disengage themselves from the lugs 31. Under the biasing force loaded in the leaf spring 20, the tabs 21 return to their initial positions (i.e., the lower position shown in solid lines), and the load in the leaf spring 20 is released, which powerfully drives the striking plate 10 from the release position to the initial position where the striking plate 10 strikes a stapler into the work piece 70.
Preferably, a biasing mechanism is provided to the actuation bar 30 so that after the external force applied to the actuation bar 30 is released, the actuation bar 30 can automatically return to its initial position (as shown in solid lines) under a biasing force. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9a, the biasing force is provided by a resilient lever 34 which connects the actuation bar 30 at a back end 35 to the upper surface 43 of the magazine 40. When the actuation bar 30 moves forward under the external force applied to it through the cover 60, the resilient lever 34 is brought to bend forward and the biasing force is loaded in the resilient lever 34. When the external force is removed, the load built in the resilient lever 34 is released, and the resilient lever 34 returns to its initial position and pulls the actuation bar 30 back to its initial position as well.
It is important that the lugs 31 of the actuation bar 30 are not obstructed by the tabs 21 (which have returned to their initial positions) on their way of returning to their initial positions after the external force is removed. As illustrated in Fig. 9b, after the external force is removed, the lugs 31 are pulled backward by the biasing force from the resilient lever 34 and move along path "B" which is not obstructed by the tabs 21 already returned to their initial positions from the lugs 31 along the path "A".
Preferably, the lugs 31 may assume an angle (e.g., 30 degree) from a man flat body of the actuation bar 30, as illustrated in Figs. l0a-lOd, which show the actuation mechanism in various operational stages.
Fig. l0a shows the actuation mechanism in a position before or after a stapling operation, in which the actuation bar 30 rests in its initial idle position because there is no external force applied on it. The lugs 31 on the actuation bar 30 are not engaged with the tabs 21 of the leaf spring 20. The striking plate 10 rests in the initial position, and the leaf spring 20 is in the lower position.
During the loading stage of the stapling operation, when the front end 32 of the actuation bar 30 is pushed forward by an external force, the lugs 31 come into engagement with the tabs 31 and push the tabs 21 upward when the front end 32 moves upward along the ramp 33, until the leaf spring 20 reaches the upper position where the striking plate 10 is lifted to the release position, as shown in Figs. l Ob and I Oc in different angels of view. In this stage, the tabs 21 slide backward along the upper surface of the lugs 31 toward the back edges 31 a of the lugs 31.
After the leaf spring 20 reaches the upper position and the striking plate 10 reaches the release position as shown in Figs. I Ob and l Oc, when the L-shaped front end 32 further moves upwards along the ramp 33, the tabs 21 of the leaf spring 10 drops from the back edges 31 a of the lugs 31 to disengage itself from the actuation bar 30. Under the biasing force built in the leaf spring 20 during the loading stage, the leaf spring 20 snaps back to the lower position, and at the same time powerfully drives the striking plate 10 back to the initial position for stapling the work piece 70, as shown in Fig. l Od.
After the stapling operation is finished, the external force is removed from the actuation bar 30.
Under the biasing force from the resilient lever 34 (see Fig. 9a), the actuation bar 30 returns to its initial position, as shown in Fig. 10a, and ready for a next stapling operation.
Although the above has described several preferred embodiments, it is appreciated that numerous adaptations, changes, variations and modifications are possible to a person skilled in the art without departing the spirit of the present invention. For example, For example, the striker spring 120 can be advantageously constructed with dual legs for higher strength.
Alternatively, the striker spring 120 can be a leaf spring. Moreover, the triggering lever 110 may be arranged inside the body 102, such as between the cover plate 103 and the body 102, and not connected to the base 101. The flat shaped tabs 21 may be implemented as a pair of laterally protruding rods mounted on the leaf spring 20. The resilient lever 34 can be replaced by any proper biasing mechanism for returning the actuation bar 30 toward its initial position.
For example, the actuation bar 30 can also be a leaf spring with the back end 35 connected to the cover 60. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is solely intended to be defined by the accompanying claims.
Claims (22)
1. A stapler comprising:
a striking plate for dispensing a staple from a staple magazine;
a leaf spring engaged with said striking plate for driving said striking plate; and an actuator for lifting said leaf spring from a first position to a second position whereby said leaf spring lifts said striking plate from an initial position to a release position, wherein said leaf spring is adapted to slide on said actuator while being lifted by said actuator, until said leaf spring is lifted to said second position in which said leaf spring is released from said actuator to drive said striking plate from said release position towards said initial position;
and wherein said staple magazine comprises an element formed to force said actuator in a direction to bend said leaf spring.
a striking plate for dispensing a staple from a staple magazine;
a leaf spring engaged with said striking plate for driving said striking plate; and an actuator for lifting said leaf spring from a first position to a second position whereby said leaf spring lifts said striking plate from an initial position to a release position, wherein said leaf spring is adapted to slide on said actuator while being lifted by said actuator, until said leaf spring is lifted to said second position in which said leaf spring is released from said actuator to drive said striking plate from said release position towards said initial position;
and wherein said staple magazine comprises an element formed to force said actuator in a direction to bend said leaf spring.
2. The stapler of claim 1, wherein said actuator comprises a first end portion adapted to move upwards when a force is applied to said actuator, thereby lifting said leaf spring, and wherein said element comprises at least one ramp.
3. The stapler of claim 2, wherein said first end portion comprises a raising portion adapted to lift said leaf spring when said force is applied to said actuator.
4. The stapler of claim 3, wherein said first end portion further comprises a front portion adapted to move on said ramp when said force is applied to said actuator.
5. The stapler of claim 4, wherein said raising portion of said actuator is adapted to push up a tab provided on said leaf spring and therefore to lift said leaf spring when said force is applied to said actuator.
6. The stapler of claim 5, wherein said tab and said raising portion are configured such that when said leaf spring is lifted to said second position, said tab disengages itself from said raising portion so as to release said leaf spring from said actuator.
7. The stapler of claim 6, wherein said tab is adapted to slide on an upper surface of said raising portion when said front portion moves on said guiding ramp.
8. The stapler of claim 7, wherein said tab and said raising portion are configured such that when said front portion moves on said guiding ramp, said raising portion moves upwards and said tab slides backwards on said upper surface of said raising portion.
9. The stapler of claim 8, wherein said raising portion is a lug protruded laterally from said actuator, and said tab of said leaf spring is adapted to disengage itself from said lug after said tab slides to an edge of said lug.
10. The stapler of claim 2, wherein said actuator is cooperatively coupled to a biasing mechanism for returning said actuator to an initial position after said applied force is removed.
11. The stapler of claim 10, wherein the biasing mechanism is part of the leaf spring.
12. The stapler of claim 11, wherein said actuator further comprises a second end portion, and said force is applied to said second end portion.
13. The stapler of claim 12, wherein said force is applied to said actuator by pressing on a cover of said stapler pivotally connected to said magazine.
14. The stapler of claim 13 wherein the leaf spring extends through an opening in said actuator.
15. A stapler comprising:
a striking plate for dispensing a staple from a staple magazine;
a leaf spring engaged with said striking plate for driving said striking plate; and an actuator for lifting said leaf spring from a first position to a second position, whereby said leaf spring lifts said striking plate from an initial position to a release position, wherein said actuator is operable to advance with respect to a ramp disposed on said staple magazine in response to a force applied to said actuator, and wherein at least a portion of said leaf spring is operable to engage and to move relative to said actuator concurrently with said advancement of said actuator along said ramp, thereby lifting said leaf spring to said second position.
a striking plate for dispensing a staple from a staple magazine;
a leaf spring engaged with said striking plate for driving said striking plate; and an actuator for lifting said leaf spring from a first position to a second position, whereby said leaf spring lifts said striking plate from an initial position to a release position, wherein said actuator is operable to advance with respect to a ramp disposed on said staple magazine in response to a force applied to said actuator, and wherein at least a portion of said leaf spring is operable to engage and to move relative to said actuator concurrently with said advancement of said actuator along said ramp, thereby lifting said leaf spring to said second position.
16. The stapler of claim 15 wherein said portion of said leaf spring is operable to move perpendicularly to a direction of said actuator advancement to reach said second position.
17. The stapler of claim 15 wherein at least one lug is disposed on said actuator and at least one tab is disposed on said leaf spring, and wherein said at least one tab is operable to engage and slide along said at least one lug upon said advancement of said actuator with respect to said ramp.
18. The stapler of claim 17 wherein said at least one tab is operable to slide along said at least one lug in response to said advancement of said actuator until said leaf spring reaches a point of maximum deflection at said second position.
19. The stapler of claim 18 wherein motion of said at least one tab beyond a back edge of said at least one lug is operable to disengage said leaf spring from said actuator, thereby causing said leaf spring to return to said first position and to drive said striking plate.
20. A stapler comprising:
a striking plate for dispensing a staple from a staple magazine;
a spring engaged with said striking plate for driving said striking plate; and an actuator operable to advance forwardly in the stapler in response to a force applied thereto, and in contact with said spring such that said spring is lifted up along said actuator while said actuator is lifted; and wherein said staple magazine comprises a guiding ramp adapted for said actuator to lift said spring, in said plane, from a first position to a second position by means of having at least one contact point formed on one end of said actuator sliding on said guiding ramp.
a striking plate for dispensing a staple from a staple magazine;
a spring engaged with said striking plate for driving said striking plate; and an actuator operable to advance forwardly in the stapler in response to a force applied thereto, and in contact with said spring such that said spring is lifted up along said actuator while said actuator is lifted; and wherein said staple magazine comprises a guiding ramp adapted for said actuator to lift said spring, in said plane, from a first position to a second position by means of having at least one contact point formed on one end of said actuator sliding on said guiding ramp.
21. The stapler of claim 20 wherein said spring is a leaf spring.
22. The stapler of claim 21 wherein said leaf spring has predetermined lifting portions that contact predetermined lifting portions of said actuator.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US10/898,019 US7121444B2 (en) | 2004-07-23 | 2004-07-23 | Spring actuated stapler |
| US10/898,019 | 2004-07-23 | ||
| US11/009,369 US7097086B2 (en) | 2004-12-10 | 2004-12-10 | Stapler with leaf spring actuation mechanism |
| US11/009,369 | 2004-12-10 | ||
| PCT/US2005/026261 WO2006012595A2 (en) | 2004-07-23 | 2005-07-22 | Spring actuated stapler |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2574774A1 CA2574774A1 (en) | 2006-02-02 |
| CA2574774C true CA2574774C (en) | 2013-01-22 |
Family
ID=35786764
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2574774A Expired - Fee Related CA2574774C (en) | 2004-07-23 | 2005-07-22 | Spring actuated stapler |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1778441A4 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP4812761B2 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2005266928B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BRPI0512426A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2574774C (en) |
| MX (1) | MX2007000926A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2006012595A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2436081A (en) * | 2006-03-17 | 2007-09-19 | Rapesco Office Products Plc | Stapler |
| JPWO2007129416A1 (en) * | 2006-05-09 | 2009-09-17 | 株式会社イートップ | Stapler |
Family Cites Families (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4452388A (en) * | 1982-08-05 | 1984-06-05 | Textron, Inc. | Spring actuated staple driving device |
| IT1234357B (en) * | 1989-04-17 | 1992-05-15 | Nordica Spa | FOOT LOCKING DEVICE, ESPECIALLY FOR SKI BOOTS |
| ES2027154A6 (en) * | 1990-12-05 | 1992-05-16 | Grau Perez Jorge | Hand-operated stapler. |
| US5356063A (en) * | 1990-12-05 | 1994-10-18 | Erwin Muller GmbH Co. | Hand-operated stapler |
| GB9124499D0 (en) * | 1991-11-19 | 1992-01-08 | Ofrex Group Holdings Plc | Improvements in or relating to a stapling machine |
| SE503293C2 (en) * | 1995-05-30 | 1996-05-13 | Isaberg Ab | Hand tools with a frame, a handle means pivotally mounted thereon and a working member movable relative to the body between an initial position and a turning position |
| JPH0919874A (en) * | 1995-07-03 | 1997-01-21 | Kanematsu Kogyo Kk | Stapler device |
| US5816470A (en) * | 1995-08-30 | 1998-10-06 | Black & Decker Inc. | Fastening device |
| JP2003340745A (en) * | 2002-05-28 | 2003-12-02 | E Top:Kk | Cassette type stapler |
| US6789719B2 (en) * | 2002-11-01 | 2004-09-14 | Arrow Fastener Co., Inc. | Forward acting stapler with unique linkage |
| US6918525B2 (en) * | 2003-05-23 | 2005-07-19 | Worktools, Inc. | Spring energized desktop stapler |
-
2005
- 2005-07-22 EP EP05775804A patent/EP1778441A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2005-07-22 JP JP2007522833A patent/JP4812761B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2005-07-22 BR BRPI0512426-3A patent/BRPI0512426A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2005-07-22 WO PCT/US2005/026261 patent/WO2006012595A2/en active Application Filing
- 2005-07-22 MX MX2007000926A patent/MX2007000926A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2005-07-22 AU AU2005266928A patent/AU2005266928B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2005-07-22 CA CA2574774A patent/CA2574774C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2574774A1 (en) | 2006-02-02 |
| AU2005266928B2 (en) | 2009-04-23 |
| WO2006012595A2 (en) | 2006-02-02 |
| MX2007000926A (en) | 2008-02-22 |
| BRPI0512426A (en) | 2008-03-04 |
| WO2006012595A3 (en) | 2006-05-11 |
| JP2008507420A (en) | 2008-03-13 |
| EP1778441A2 (en) | 2007-05-02 |
| EP1778441A4 (en) | 2009-04-22 |
| JP4812761B2 (en) | 2011-11-09 |
| AU2005266928A1 (en) | 2006-02-02 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US8061575B2 (en) | Stapler with leaf spring actuation mechanism | |
| US7121444B2 (en) | Spring actuated stapler | |
| US6918525B2 (en) | Spring energized desktop stapler | |
| US7243832B2 (en) | Spring-powered stapler | |
| US20070023474A1 (en) | Clincher for a heavy duty stapler | |
| EP1120202A1 (en) | Staple gun | |
| US7124924B2 (en) | Desktop stapler striker/anvil alignment system | |
| US20090120993A1 (en) | Stapler | |
| US20080054042A1 (en) | Stapler | |
| EP2512745B1 (en) | Leveraged action stapler | |
| US20070023473A1 (en) | Spring-powered stapler | |
| US20080011808A1 (en) | Staple guide track | |
| CA2574774C (en) | Spring actuated stapler | |
| JPH04269182A (en) | Hand-operated stapler |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20150722 |