EP1332847A2

EP1332847A2 - Hole punch with a sheet engagement indicator

Info

Publication number: EP1332847A2
Application number: EP03002288A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jeremy Gardner; Glen Smith; Jonathan Hodges; Mark Twitchett
Original assignee: Acco UK Ltd
Current assignee: Acco UK Ltd
Priority date: 2002-01-31
Filing date: 2003-01-31
Publication date: 2003-08-06
Anticipated expiration: 2023-01-31
Also published as: DE60300988D1; DE60300988T2; EP1332847A3; ES2243812T3; EP1332847B1

Abstract

A hole punch (1) is provided for punching holes through a stack of papers. A locating arrangement is provided to engage the edge of the or each sheet of the stack of papers. The locating arrangement includes a movable element which removes when the edge of the sheet or sheets engages the locating arrangement. An indicator is provided to give a visual indication, in response to movement of the movable element, to indicate when the edge of the sheets engage the locating arrangement. The indicator may be a light-emitting diode actuated by a switch, or may be a mechanically movable element.

Description

THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a hole punch for punching holes through a sheet article or stack of sheet articles, such as paper and other stationery.
As is commonly known in the art, single or multiple sheets of paper, card or other sheet-like articles may be punched with a hole punch, to provide one or more holes through the or each article. Such articles must be inserted into a locating slot in the hole punch, before the device is operated and holes are formed in the articles. Articles such as paper which have been punched in this way are commonly stored in binders or folders having rings of corresponding orientation and dimension to the cutting elements of the hole punch.
A hole punch configured to punch circular holes in sheet articles commonly consists of one or more cylindrical cutting elements which may be forced through the articles to be punched using a sprung plunger device. The articles must be correctly loaded into the hole punch, in order to achieve a desirable result. For example, where a sheet of paper is to be punched, it must be inserted into the hole punch to a predetermined position, in order that the holes are punched at a suitable distance from the edge of the sheet. If the holes are punched too close to the edge of the sheet, then the sheet may easily be ripped when the holes are used for filing the sheet in a conventional ring binder or the like. Therefore, hole punches are generally arranged so that paper inserted into the locating slot abuts a locating surface when fully inserted.
However, it has been found that a problem may arise when using such known hole punch devices. It is often difficult for a person operating a hole punch of the general type discussed above to know whether or not the paper has been fully inserted into the slot of the hole punch before operating the punch. If the operator forces one or more sheets of paper into the slot, with too much force, in an attempt to ensure that they are inserted to their fullest extent, then the edges of the paper may be damaged. Conversely, if the operator is not aware that the paper is not sufficiently inserted into the slot, then holes may be punched too close to, across, or over the edge of the paper.
An additional problem arises in that once paper has been loaded into the hole punch, it may easily slip back out before operation of the punch and therefore holes may be punched at an inappropriate place. This problem arises due to the slots of prior hole punches being horizontal in use (typically with the punch resting on a worksurface such as a table top), and therefore providing no positive encouragement for the paper to enter the slot fully and remain in position.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a hole punch for punching holes through a sheet article on a stack of a plurality of sheet articles, the hole punch comprising:
a base having an engaging surface to engage a face of a sheet article to be punched;
a locating arrangement configured to engage an edge of the or each sheet article, wherein said locating arrangement comprises a moveable element which is moveable in response to said edge of the or each sheet article engaging at least part of the locating arrangement; and
an indicator arranged to provide a visual indication, in response to movement of the moveable element indicative of whether or not said edge of the or each sheet article is engaging the locating arrangement.
Preferably, the indicator comprises a light source configured to emit light in response to movement of the moveable element.
Conveniently, the light source is located substantially at a position remote from the locating arrangement.
Advantageously, the light source comprises a light-emitting diode.
Preferably, the moveable element comprises a microswitch.
Advantageously, the light source is powered at least in part by a battery.
Conveniently, the light source is powered at least in part by at least one solar cell.
Alternatively, the indicator comprises a mechanism actuable in response to movement of the moveable element.
Preferably, the mechanism comprises an indicator element arranged to move with respect to the base, from a first position to a second position, in response to movement of the moveable element.
Advantageously, the indicator element comprises a lever arm pivotally moveable between said first and second positions.
Conveniently, the indicator element is biased towards said first position.
Advantageously, the indicator element is biased towards said first position by a counter-weight.
Preferably, the indicator element comprises a visual indicator, a first portion of the visual indicator being visible through an aperture in part of the hole punch structure, when said indicator element adopts at least one said position.
Advantageously, a second portion of the visual indicator is visible through an aperture in part of the hole punch structure, when said indicator element adopts the other position.
Conveniently, a lens is provided, the indicator being visible through the lens.
In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a hole punch in accordance with the present invention, from above, the front, and one side;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the hole punch of Figure 1, from above, the rear, and the other side;
FIGURE 3 is a plan view from above of the hole punch of Figures 1 and 2;
FIGURE 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the hole punch of Figure 3, taken through the line A-A, illustrating internal features of this embodiment of the invention;
FIGURE 5 is a partial cross-sectional view corresponding to that of Figure 7, but illustrating a further alternative embodiment of the invention;
FIGURE 6 is a partly exploded cross-sectional view of part of the arrangements illustrated in Figures 4 and 5;
FIGURE 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the hole punch of Figure 3, taken through line A-A, illustrating features of a further embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 8 is a view corresponding to that of Figure 7, but illustrating parts of the hole punch in an alternate, loaded position; and
FIGURE 9 is a partly exploded cross-sectional view of part of the arrangement illustrated in Figures 7 and 8.
Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a hole punch 1 which, in most respects, is largely identical to conventional known hole punches. The hole punch 1 comprises a base 2 having a planar, or substantially planar support surface 3 (illustrated, for example, in Figure 4) to facilitate secure positioning of the base 2 of the hole punch 1 upon a static worksurface 4, such as, for example, the upper surface of a table or workbench.
Upstanding from the base 2, are a pair of spaced apart, opposed and substantially identical planar flanges 5 to which an operating handle 6 is pivotally mounted. As will be described in more detail hereinafter, the pivotally mounted operating handle 6 is operatively connected to a pair of moveable cutting elements 7 in the form of substantially cylindrical metal pistons which are vertically moveable with respect to the base 2 in a manner known per se.
With particular reference to Figure 2, it will be seen that each upstanding flange 5 is provided with an aperture 8a therethrough (only one visible in Figure 2). The two apertures 8a are aligned with one another, and each aperture 8a receives therein, as a rotational fit, a shaft 9 extending through a pair of similarly aligned apertures 8b formed through respective planar sidewalls 10 of the handle 6. Each sidewall 10 of the handle 6 is disposed against the outer surface of a respective upstanding flange 5.
It will therefore be clear that the shaft 9, by virtue of its engagement within the apertures 8a provided in the upstanding flanges 5, pivotally mounts the handle 6 with respect to the base 2 such that the handle 6 can be manually actuated between the initial position illustrated in the Figures, and an alternate, depressed position (not illustrated).
As illustrated in Figure 4, in the upper region of each cutting element 7, the operating handle 6 is provided with a pair of bearing surfaces 11 (only one illustrated) arranged to bear against the uppermost surface 12 of a respective cutting element 7. Therefore, actuation of the operating handle 6 from the initial position (illustrated), to the depressed position (not illustrated), causes the bearing surfaces 11, by virtue of their engagement with the upper surfaces 12 of respective cutting elements 7, to urge the cutting elements 7 downwardly towards the base 2 such that the lower, sharpened edges 13 of the cutting elements approach the base 2. This operation is known per se in the field of hole punches.
Each cutting element 7 is biased towards its initial position illustrated in Figure 4, by a helical compression spring 14 disposed around the respective cutting elements 7, also in a manner known per se in the field of hole punches.
With particular reference to Figures 4 and 5, it can be seen that base 2 is provided with an upper engaging surface 15 which is opposed to the support surface 3. The engaging surface 15 extends from a position indicated generally at 16, in front of the handle 6, to a position substantially below and beyond the position of the cutting element 7. In this position, the engaging surface 15 terminates at an upstanding step 17. Vertically spaced above, and substantially parallel to upper engaging surface 15 is a plate 18. It is to be appreciated that the slot into which paper, for example, is inserted into, is therefore defined by the upper engaging surface 15, the upstanding step 17 and the plate 18.
A substantially circular aperture 19 is formed through the plate 18, in alignment with the sharpened edge 13 of cutting element 7. Each aperture 19 is dimensioned to receive the respective cutting element 7 therethrough as a sliding fit. As can be seen from Figure 4, when the cutting element 7 shown adopts the retracted position, the sharpened edges 13 of the cutting element 7 are retained in the aperture 19 so as not to extend substantially through the aperture 19, and into the slot therebelow.
A substantially circular aperture 20 is formed in the engaging surface 15 at a position immediately vertically below the lowermost end of each cutting element 7. The apertures are sized and configured to receive therein the lowermost ends of the respective cutting elements 7, as the cutting elements 7 approach their depressed position. It will therefore be clear that when each cutting element 7 is moved to its depressed position, such that the sharpened edge 13 is received within the corresponding aperture 20, the sharpened edge 13 passes through the circular aperture 19, below the engaging surface 15 and, into the slot therebelow, and hence through any sheets of paper or the like resting against the engaging surface 15 of the hole punch.
As is clearly illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the engaging surface 15 is inclined downwardly in the orientation of the hole punch illustrated, towards the support surface 3, such that the engaging surface 15 approaches the support surface 3 in the region of the upstanding step 17. In other words, it will be seen that the engaging surface 15 is inclined with respect to the support surface 3, such that the engaging surface has a minimum spacing from the support surface at the position of the upstanding step 17.
By virtue of the above-mentioned downward inclination of the engaging surface 15, when the hole punch 1 is positioned on a substantially horizontal worksurface 4, the engaging surface 15 is inclined with respect to the horizontal, which assists in positive location of paper sheets in the hole punch, and serves to help prevent inadvertent disengagement of the paper sheets from the hole punch, The downwardly inclined engaging surface uses the force of gravity to maintain sheets of paper inserted into the hole punch in their correct position against the upstanding step 17.
As can clearly be seen from Figure 4, the upstanding step 17 defines the end of the slot into which paper or the like is inserted into the hole punch, and therefore upstanding step 17 defines the furthest point to which paper can be inserted. Upstanding step 17 therefore forms part of a locating arrangement configured to engage the edge of any sheet of paper inserted into the hole punch; further parts of the locating arrangement will be described below with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention.
Two similar preferred embodiments of the current invention will now be described with reference in particular to Figures 4 and 5, which depict a hole punch generally in accordance with the hole punch of Figures 1 to 3. In this embodiment, a light source 50 is provided in the region of the aperture 34 through the handle 6. The light source 50, as illustrated, comprises a light emitting diode (LED). However, it is to be appreciated that the light source could comprise any suitable source of illumination such as a conventional light bulb or lamp.
A microswitch 53 is provided in the region of the upstanding step 17. Therefore, in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, part of the locating arrangement comprises the microswitch 53. As is widely understood in the field of switches, the microswitch 53 functions by means of the reversible movement of moveable element of the microswitch 53, namely actuating lever 55 of microswitch 53. In this case, the lever 55 of microswitch 53 is arranged for direct engagement with a sheet inserted into the punch. Therefore, it will be understood that by inserting paper, for example, into the hole punch 1 in the direction generally indicated by 16, along the engaging surface 55, the edge or edges of the or each sheet of paper will abut the lever 55 of the microswitch 53 to actuate the microswitch 53.
The light source 50 is electrically connected by way of wires 51a and 51b to an electrical power source such as a battery 52, to provide electrical power the light source 50. The microswitch 53 is connected in series between the light source 50 and the battery 52. Therefore, it will be understood that the microswitch 53 controls the actuation of the light source 50.
The microswitch 53 is biased in the position shown in Figures 4 and 5, such that the circuit between the battery 52 and the light source 50 is "open" and so the light source is not illuminated. The force of paper abutting the microswitch 53 causes the microswitch 53 to close thereby completing the electrical circuit and illuminating the light source 50.
Therefore, only when paper is fully inserted into the hole punch to the "fully home" position will the light source be illuminated. This gives a clear visual indication of when paper is correctly loaded into the hole punch, and therefore when it is appropriate for the user to operate the cutting elements 7 of the hole punch 1 by depressing handle 6. It will therefore be appreciated that the aforementioned electrical circuit comprising the light sources, power source and microswitch, serves as an indicator arranged to provide a visual indication, at a position remote from the locating arrangement, responsive to an edge of the paper or other sheet article moving the moveable element (actuating lever 55 of the microswitch 53).
It is to be appreciated that the hole punch 1 could be provided with one microswitch or a plurality of microswitches. For example, if two microswitches are provided, for example one microswitch in the region of each of the two upstanding flanges 5, then the arrangement would provide two visual indications to the user of the hole punch. Such an arrangement would be useful in determining that paper, for example, has been fully inserted into the hole punch in the regions of both of the cutting elements 7.
As illustrated in Figure 5, the arrangement may also be provided with a power source comprising a solar cell or an array of solar cells 54. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the solar cells 54 may be used to power the light source 50, when there is sufficient ambient light for the solar cells 54 to provide sufficient power output for the light source 50. In this case the battery 52 merely acts as a "back up" in case there is insufficient ambient light to operate the solar cells 54. Alternatively, the light source 50 may be powered directly by the battery 52, and the solar cells 54 used simply to recharge the battery 52, as is known in the art. In a further embodiment (not illustrated) it is to be appreciated that the battery 52 could be omitted, with the light source 50 being powered by the solar cells 54 alone.
In the arrangement illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the light source 50 is placed within the confines of an aperture 34 formed in the handle 6. Therefore, the light source is presented to the operator of the hole punch through the aperture 34. In addition, the aperture 34 is provided with a lens 56 thereacross. The lens 56 is preferably moulded from polycarbonate material or ABS. The lens 56 is outwardly convex with respect to the handle 6.
As illustrated in Figure 6, the lens 56 is preferably configured for snap engagement with handle 6 through the aperture 34. The lens 56 is preferably circular or substantially ovoid in configuration, and is provided with a downwardly-depending skirt 57 therearound. The lowermost edge of the downwardly-depending skirt 57 is provided with an outwardly-projecting projection or lip 58. It will therefore be seen from Figure 6 that the lens 56 can simply and easily be inserted into the handle 6 by positioning the lens 56 over the aperture 34 such that skirt 57 passes through the aperture 34 and into the handle 6, whilst being urged inwardly, until the outwardly-projecting lip 58 becomes aligned with the reverse of the handle 6, at which time the skirt 57 springs back by virtue of its inherent resilience, such that the projection 58 is received beneath the handle 6, thereby retaining the lens 56 in position.
The lens 56 is preferably configured to disperse light from the light source 50 towards the aperture 34 so that a person viewing the lens 56 from generally above the lens 56, can easily assess a change in optical conditions in a region beneath the lens 56 (for example the illumination of the light source 50, dependent upon the insertion or removal of sheet articles from the hole punch 1), without requiring the absolutely precise alignment of the person's line of sight with the central axis of the aperture 34.
Turning now to Figures 7 to 9, a further alternative embodiment of the present invention will now be described.
As illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, a pivot 71 is provided inside the casing of the hole punch. The pivot 71 may comprise a shaft which is rotatably mounted about the side flange 5, or may comprise any other suitable pivoting member. The pivot 71 has two limbs attached thereto. The first limb takes the form of a lever arm 72 which extends generally upwardly towards the region of the handle 6. The second limb is substantially shorter than the lever arm 72 and takes the form of a connecting member 73. The connecting member 73 has connected thereto, at the opposite end to the pivot 71, a counterweight 74. At a position between the pivot 71 and the counterweight 74, the connecting member carries a downwardly extending finger 70 which is a moveable element. The finger 70 is a generally elongate member which extends towards the upper engaging surface 15.
As is illustrated most clearly in Figure 7, the finger 70 extends downwardly in front of upstanding step 17. The finger 70 is rigidly mounted to the connecting member 73 in a generally perpendicular fashion, such that the combination of the finger 70 and the connecting member 73 generally conforms to the shape of a T. It is important to appreciate that the connecting member 73 and the lever arm 72 are both fixedly mounted about the pivot such that the angle between the connecting member 73 and the lever arm 72 remains constant, at all times.
The lever arm 72 defines an indicator element of the hole punch and carries at its end opposite to the pivot 71, a visual indicator 77 defined on a portion of the indicator plate 75 as will be described in more detail hereafter. The indicator plate 75 is generally planar, but may adopt a slight curvature to correspond with the curvature of handle 6. The indicator plate 75 is mounted in a generally perpendicular fashion on the lever arm 72 such that the combination of the indicator plate 75 and the lever arm 72 resembles a T.
Therefore, it should be understood that the hole punch illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 comprises a mechanism consisting of the indicator plate 75, lever arm 72, the pivot 71, the connecting member 73, the finger 70 and the counterweight 74. The locating arrangement of this embodiment therefore comprises the finger 70. In the illustrated embodiment, the mechanism lies behind the cutting elements 7 of the hole punch, however, it is to be appreciated that the mechanism could be housed in any appropriate position in the casing of the hole punch. In addition, the hole punch could comprise one or more such mechanisms.
As can be seen from Figure 7, where no paper is inserted into the hole punch 1 as indicated at 16, the finger 70 lies to the side of the upstanding step 17, so as to project into the slot defined between the upper surface 15 and the plate 18 thereabove. The angle of the finger 70 in this position is generally perpendicular to the engaging surface 15. The finger 70 is biased to this position by the action of the counterweight 74 acting about the pivot 71.
When one or more sheet or sheets of paper or the like are inserted into the hole punch as generally indicated by 16, the edge or edges of the paper will come into abutment with the finger 70 when the sheets are inserted into their "fully home" position. Therefore, it will be apparent that in this embodiment, part of the locating arrangement is defined by the finger 70.
The force exerted on inserting paper into the hole punch is sufficient to overcome the biasing of the counterweight 74. Therefore, by movement of the finger 70, the connecting member 73 and the counterweight 74 are pivoted anticlockwise (when viewed as in Figures 7 and 8) about the pivot 71. At the same time, the lever arm 72 is correspondingly pivoted. When the sheets of paper (for example) are fully inserted into the hole punch, the edges of the paper will engage with the upstanding step 17. As can be seen from Figure 8, in this position the finger 70 has been moved into a recess (not shown) in the base 2 of the hole punch 1. As is also evident from Figure 8, the pivoting of lever arm 72 causes the indicator plate 75 to shift downwardly.
Returning to Figure 7, in the first position, the indicator plate 75 is aligned such that a first portion 76 of the plate is presented to an aperture 34 in the handle 6 of the hole punch 1. In the second position, as illustrated in Figure 8, the visual indicator 77 defined on a second portion of the indicator plate 75 has been moved into alignment with the aperture 34, It will therefore be understood that in the first position, a first region 76 of the indicator plate 75 will be visible through the aperture to a user, whilst in the second position the visual indicator 77 will be visible through the aperture. In the present example, the visual indicator 77 may be a coloured stud, the colour being markedly different to the remainder of the indicator plate 75. However, it is to be appreciated that the visual indicator 77 could be any desired component, for example a light emitting diode or merely a region of the indicator plate 75 having different optical characteristics to the remainder of the plate.
In use, therefore, as paper is inserted into the hole punch, the visual indicator 77 will be moved due to the action of the pivoting mechanism, such that when paper (for example) is in the "fully home" position then the visual indicator 77 is presented through the aperture 34, to the user. This gives a visual indication of when paper is correctly inserted into the hole punch, and therefore when it is appropriate for the user to operate the cutting elements 7 of the hole punch 1 by depressing handle 6. It will therefore be appreciated that in this embodiment, the above-described mechanism serves as an indicator arranged to provide a visual indication, at a position remote (i.e. at the aperture 34) from the upstanding step 17, responsive to said edge of the each sheet article moving the moveable element (finger 70).
In the preferred arrangement illustrated in Figures 7 to 9, the aperture 34 formed in the operating handle 6, is provided with a lens 56 thereacross. The lens 56 is preferably moulded from polycarbonate material or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The lens 56 is outwardly convex with respect to the handle 6.
As illustrated most clearly in Figure 9, the lens 56 is preferably configured for snap engagement with handle 6, through the aperture 34. The lens 56 is preferably circular or substantially ovoid in configuration, as illustrated in Figure 3, and is provided with a downwardly-depending skirt 57 therearound. The lowermost edge of the downwardly-depending skirt 57 is provided with an outwardly-projecting projection or lip 58. It will therefore be seen from Figure 9 that the lens can simply and easily be inserted into the handle 6 by positioning the lens 56 over the aperture 34 such that the skirt 57 passes through the aperture 34 and into the handle 6, whilst being urged inwardly, until the outwardly-projecting lip 58 becomes aligned with the reverse of the handle 6, at which time the skirt 57 springs back, by virtue of its inherent resilience, such that the projection 58 is received beneath the handle 6, thereby retaining the lens 56 in position.
The lens 56 is preferably configured to disperse light from the visual indicator 77 towards the aperture 34 so that a person viewing the lens 56 from generally above the lens, can easily assess a change in optical conditions in a region beneath the lens 56 (for example the presence or absence of the visual indicator 77, dependent upon the insertion or removal of sheet articles from hole punch 1), without requiring the absolutely precise alignment of the person's line of sight with the central axis of the aperture 34.
In the present specification "comprises" means "includes or consists of" and "comprising" means "including or consisting of'.
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

A hole punch for punching holes through a sheet article or a stack of a plurality of sheet articles, the hole punch comprising:

a base having an engaging surface to engage a face of a sheet article to be punched;

a locating arrangement configured to engage an edge of the or each sheet article, wherein said locating arrangement comprises a moveable element which is moveable in response to said edge of the or each sheet article engaging at least part of the locating arrangement; and

an indicator arranged to provide a visual indication, in response to movement of the moveable element indicative of whether or not said edge of the or each sheet article is engaging the locating arrangement.
A hole punch according to Claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises a light source configured to emit light in response to movement of the moveable element.
A hole punch according to Claim 2, wherein the light source is located substantially at a position remote from the locating arrangement.
A hole punch according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the light source comprises a light-emitting diode.
A hole punch according to any of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the moveable element comprises a microswitch.
A hole punch according to any of Claims 2 to 5, wherein the light source is powered at least in part by a battery.
A hole punch according to any of Claims 2 to 6, wherein the light source is powered at least in part by at least one solar cell.
A hole punch according to Claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises a mechanism actuable in response to movement of the moveable element.
A hole punch according to Claim 8, wherein the mechanism comprises an indicator element arranged to move with respect to the base, from a first position to a second position, in response to movement of the moveable element.
A hole punch according to Claim 9, wherein the indicator element comprises a lever arm pivotally moveable between said first and second positions.
A hole punch according to any of Claims 9 or 10, wherein the indicator element is biased towards said first position.
A hole punch according to Claim 11, wherein the indicator element is biased towards said first position by a counter-weight.
A hole punch according to any of Claims 9 to 12, wherein the indicator element comprises a visual indicator, a first portion of the visual indicator being visible through an aperture in part of the hole punch structure, when said indicator element adopts at least one said position.
A hole punch according to Claim 13, wherein a second portion of the visual indicator is visible through an aperture in part of the hole punch structure, when said indicator element adopts the other position.
A hole punch according to any preceding claim, wherein a lens is provided, the indicator being visible through the lens.