GB2447703A

GB2447703A - Stapler with longitudinal opening along one side of pivot

Info

Publication number: GB2447703A
Application number: GB0705629A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles John Timothy Clarke
Original assignee: THOSE ENGINEERS Ltd
Current assignee: THOSE ENGINEERS Ltd
Priority date: 2007-03-23
Filing date: 2007-03-23
Publication date: 2008-09-24
Anticipated expiration: 2027-03-23
Also published as: GB0705629D0; GB2447703B

Abstract

An operator energised stapler 2 comprises a first arm 4, a second arm 6, a pivot 8, a stapling head 10, and feed means 14 for feeding staples 13 to the stapling head. The stapler has a longitudinal opening 16 along one side of the pivot, which receives sheets 12 to be stapled together. The sheets can extend in a sideways direction 18 in the opening beyond the stapling head, whereby the sheets are able to be stapled together with staples which are positioned inwardly of a leading edge 20 of the sheets in the opening and with the staples extending longitudinally along a fold line 22 which extends at right angles to the leading edge, the stapled sheets then being foldable along the fold line after stapling. Preferably, magnetic feed means are provided, which comprises first and second magnets on the respective first and second arms, the first and second magnets being of opposed polarity in order to repel the arms away from each other after stapling.

Description

I

OPERATOR ENERGISED COMPACT STAPLER

This invention relates to an operator energised stapler.

Staplers are widely used in offices for stapling sheets of paper together. The known office staplers generally comprise a first arm, a second arm, a pivot which enables the first and second arms to pivot towards each other, a stapling head at which sheets are stapled together by staples, and feed means for feeding the staples to the stapling head. It sometimes happens that the sheets of paper to be stapled together are required to be stapled and folded in order to form a folded booklet or a folded leaflet. In such circumstances, the staplers widely used in offices are not suitable.

Special staplers are required and there are two well known types of these staplers. One type is known as a long-arm stapler, and the other type is known as a purpose-built booklet stapler. Both the long-arm stapler and the purpose-built booklet stapler are large in size, expensive to produce, and not commonly available.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problems.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided an operator energised stapler comprising a first arm, a second arm, a pivot which enables the first and second arms to pivot towards each other, a stapling head at which sheets are stapled together by staples, and feed means for feeding the staples to the stapling head, characterised in that the stapler has a longitudinal opening along one side of the pivot, the opening receives the sheets to be stapled together, and the sheets in the opening extend in a sideways direction beyond the stapling head whereby the sheets are able to be stapled together with staples which are positioned inwardly of a leading edge of the sheets in the opening and with the staples extending longitudinally along a fold line which extends at right angles to the leading edge, the stapled sheets then being foldable along the fold line after the stapling.

The sheets may be folded into booklet form, folded leaflet form, or into any other suitable and appropriate desired folded form. The sheets will usually be made of paper but they may be made of other materials if desired, for example laminated plastics sheets. The sheets will normally be inserted into the stapler in a sideways direction. However, if desired, the sheets may be inserted into the stapler in a longitudinal direction from the stapling head end of the stapler.

The stapler is able to be constructed to be of a relatively compact design which compares favourably with the design of the known long arm stapler and the known purpose-built booklet stapler. Also, the stapler can be manufactured at a cost-effective price as compared with the known long arm stapler and the known purpose-built booklet stapler. Still further, the stapler of the present invention can be easily operated, in a manner similar to known office staplers.

In operation, energy required for the stapler of the present invention may be taken from the operator and delivered to the staples either completely or partially through a mechanical system that offers various degrees of force amplification, for example a mechanical system as used in known office staplers. Alternatively, the required energy may be obtained through one or more intermediate energy storage devices whose energies are released as an impulse. Such energy storage devices may accumulate one or more of strain energy (for example spring or other elastically-deformed elements such as is known in staple guns); pressure energy (for example gas compression); kinetic energy (for -example fly wheel or other moving mass); electrical energy (capacitor or rechargeable battery); or energy through the

displacement of magnetic fields.

The stapler may be one in which the opening has abutment means against which the leading edge of the sheets abuts when the sheets are inserted fully into the opening. If desired, the leading edge of the sheets need not abut against the abutment means, whereby the staples can be positioned at varying distances from the leading edge of the sheets.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the stapler is one in which the first and second arms are cranked.

When the first and second arms are cranked, then the stapler may be one in which the pivot extends transversely of the stapler and into a wall which upstands from the second arm. The wall may have an inner face which forms the abutment means against which the leading edge of the sheets abuts when the sheets are inserted fully into the opening. Other designs may be employed so that, for example, the pivot may extend transversely of the stapler but formed as part of a member extending between the first and second arms.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the stapler is one in which in which the first and second arms are straight.

When the first and second arms are straight, then the stapler may be one in which the pivot extends transversely of the stapler and connects the first arm to a first part of a body portion of the stapler. The body portion may be of a C-shape or any other suitable and appropriate shape.

In all embodiments of the invention, the feed means may advantageously be magnetic feed means. The magnetic feed means may be of any suitable and appropriate design. The magnetic feed means may allow a longer strip of staples to be inserted into a feed rail part of the stapler than an equivalent spring feed mechanism of known design.

Preferably, the magnetic feed means comprises a first magnet on a first arm and positioned at the stapling head part of the stapler. In this case, the stapler may be one in which the magnetic feed means includes a second magnet on the second arm and positioned at the stapling head part of the stapler, the second magnet being of opposite polarity to the first magnet whereby the first and second magnets repell each other and act to force the first and second arms away from each other after a stapling action by the stapler. Without the second magnet, the first magnet on the first arm could cause the first arm to be attracted to the second arm if the second arm were to be made of a magnetisable material.

The feed means may alternatively be a spring feed means. Any of the known and suitable types of spring feed means used in known staplers may be employed.

The stapling head of the stapler may be of any of the known designs used on known staplers. Generally, the staples will be forced towards a staple-folding anvil as occurs with known staplers.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first stapler of the invention; Figure 2 shows the stapler of Figure 1 in use; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second stapler of the invention; and Figure 4 shows the stapler of Figure 3 in use.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown an operator energised stapler 2 comprising a first arm 4, a second arm 6, and a pivot 8 which enables the first and second arms 4, 6 to pivot towards each other. The stapler 2 also comprises a stapling head 10 at which sheets 12 are stapled together by staples 13. The stapler 2 further comprises feed means 14 for feeding the staples 13 to the stapling head 10.

The stapler 2 is characterised in that it has a longitudinal opening 16 along one side of the pivot 8. The opening 16 receives the sheets 12 to be stapled together as can best be appreciated from Figure 2.

As can also best be appreciated from Figure 2, the sheets 12 in the opening 16 extend in a sideways direction 18 beyond the stapling head 10 whereby the sheets 12 are able to be stapled together with staples 13 which are positioned inwardly of a leading edge 20 of the sheet 12 in the opening 16. The staples 13 then extend longitudinally along a fold line 22 which extends at right angles to leading edge 20. The stapled sheets 12 are then able to be folded along the fold line 22 after the stapling. The sheets 12 may be folded into booklet form or folded leaflet form.

As can be appreciated from Figure 2, the sheets 12 can be inserted into the stapler 2 in the sideways direction 18 or, alternatively, the sheets 12 can be inserted in a longitudinal direction 24 from the stapling head end of the stapler 2.

The opening 16 has abutment means 26 against which the leading edge 20 abuts when the sheets 12 are inserted fully into the opening 26.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first and second arms 4, 6 are cranked. The pivot 8 extends transversely of the stapler 2 and into a wall 28 which upstands from the second arm 6. The wall 28 has an inner face forming the abutment means 26 against which the leading edge 20 abuts when the sheets 12 are inserted fully into the opening 16, the insertion of the sheets 12 being in the sideways direction 18.

In order to facilitate insertion of the sheets 12, the second arm 6 has chamfered edges 30.

As is usual in office staplers, the stapler 2 is such that the second arm 6 is constructed for acting as a base if it is desired to stand the stapler 2 on a desk or other surface. Stapling can then be effected by pressing sharply on the first arm 4, or alternatively by a person holding the entire stapler 2 in their hand and squeezing together the first and second arms 4, 6 respectively.

The feed means 14 comprises a housing 32 which contains the staples 13. The staples 13 are forced from the housing 32 one at a time into a staple-bending groove 34 of a staple-folding anvil 36.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, there is shown an operator eruergised stapler 38 having a first arm 40 and a second arm 42. A pivot 44 enables the first and second arms to pivot towards each other. The stapler 38 has a stapling head 46 at which sheets 48 are stapled together by staples 50. The stapler 38 has feed means 52 for feeding the staples 50 to the stapling head 46.

The stapler 38 is such that it has an opening 54 along one of its longitudinal sides. The opening 54 receives the sheets 48 to be stapled together. As shown in Figure 4, the sheets 48 in the opening 54 extend in a sideways direction 56 beyond the stapling head 46. This enables the sheets 48 to be stapled together such that the staples 50 are positioned inwardly of a leading edge 58 of the sheets 48 in the opening 54. The staples 50 extend longitudinally along a fold line 60 which extends at right angles to the leading edge. After the stapling, the stapled sheets 48 are then able to be folded along the fold line 60 into booklet form or folded leaflet form.

As can be appreciated from Figures 3 and 4, the first and second arms 40, 42 are straight. The pivot 44 extends transversely of the stapler 38 and connects the first arm 40 to a first part 62 of a C-shaped body portion 64 of the stapler 38.

The staplers 2 and 38 may employ any suitable and appropriate type of feed means. With the cranked first and second arms 4, 6 in the stapler 2, the available distance represented by the housing 32 for the staples 13 is short, It is therefore preferred that the feed means 14 at least for the stapler 2 shown in Figures 1 and 2, is a magnetic feed means 14. The magnetic feed means 14 may comprise a first magnet 15 on the first arm 4, and positioned at the stapling head part of the stapler 2. The magnetic feed means 14 may include a second magnet 17 on the second arm 6 and positioned at the stapling head part of the stapler 2. This second magnet 17 will be of opposite polarity to the first magnet 15, whereby the first and second magnets 15, 17 will repell each other and act to force the first and second arms 4, 6 away from each other after a stapling action of the stapler. Without the second magnet 17 on the second arm 6, the first magnet 15 on the first arm 4 could cause the first arm 4 to be attracted to the second arm 6 if the second arm 6 were to be made of a magnetisable material, and this could prevent easy opening of the arms 4, 6 with respect to each other onôe a stapling action has been effected by the usual squeezing action employed for staplers.

With the stapler 38, the first and second arms 40, 42 are straight. The available length for staples as represented by a housing 66 is longer than in the stapler 2. Thus, with the stapler 38, a conventional spring feed means 52 may be employed. Alternatively, if desired, a magnetic feed means 52 may be employed.

With the stapler 38, it will be noticed that the second arm 42 has a staple-folding anvil 68. The staple-folding anvil 68 has two staple-folding grooves 70, 72. The staple-folding groove 70 is for folding the ends of the staples 50 towards each other. The staple-folding groove 72 is for folding the ends of the staples 50 away from each other. The staple-folding grooves 70, 72 are used in known staplers. The staple-folding anvil 68 is able to be raised and turned about a pivot 74 to place the appropriate staple-folding groove 70 or 72 underneath the position where the staples 50 are injected from the stapling head 46.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that -modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the staplers 2 and 38 may be of different shapes to those shown. The staplers of the present invention may be made of any suitable and appropriate materials including combinations of metals and plastics materials.

In the design shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pivot 8 is mounted as a stub axel on a pivot pillar in order to enable the stapler mechanism to be opened a full 180 . This enables the stapler, if required, to be used for tacking into sheets such for example as soft wall boards. A spring may be incorporated into the hinge, which otherwise acts in a similar way to conventional staplers. In the design of the stapler shown in Figures 1 and 2, if the stapler is operated without paper being present, the staples 13 which would be freely released under such circumstances from a conventional stapler will harmlessly collect around the magnet 17. In the design of the stapler shown in Figures 3 and 4, the stapler is provided with vertical gills 80 to act as the abutment means 26. More or less than the illustrated two vertical gills 80 may be employed.

Claims

1. An operator energised stapler comprising a first arm, a second arm, a pivot which enables the first and second arms to pivot towards each other, a stapling head at which sheets are stapled together by staples, and feed means for feeding the staples to the stapling head, characterised in that the stapler has a longitudinal opening along one side of the pivot, the opening receives the sheets to be stapled together, and the sheets in the opening extend in a sideways direction beyond the stapling head whereby the sheets are able to be stapled together with staples which are positioned inwardly of a leading edge of the sheets in the opening and with the staples extending longitudinally along a fold line which extends at right angles to the leading edge, the stapled sheets then being foldable along the fold line after the stapling.

2. An operator energised stapler according to claim I in which the opening has abutment means against which the leading edge of the sheets abuts when the sheets are inserted fully into the opening.

3. An operator energised stapler according to claim I or claim 2 in which the first and second arms are cranked.

4. An operator energised stapler according to claim 3 in which the pivot extends transversely of the stapler and into a wall which upstands from the second arm.

5. An operator energised stapler according to claims 2, 3 and 4 in which the wall has an inner face which forms the abutment means against which the leading edge of the sheets abuts when the sheets are inserted fully into the opening.

6. An operator energised stapler according to claim I or claim 2 in which the first and second arms are straight.

7. An operator energised stapler according to claim 6 in which the pivot extends transversely of the stapler and connects the first arm to a first part of a body portion of the stapler.

8. An operator energised stapler according to any one of the preceding claims in which the feed means is a magnetic feed means.

9. An operator energised stapler according to claim 8 in which the magnetic feed means comprises a first magnet on the first arm and positioned at the stapling head part of the stapler.

10. An operator energised stapler according to claim 9 in which the magnetic feed means includes a second magnet on the second ann and positioned at the stapling head part of the stapler, the second magnet being of opposite polarity to the first magnet whereby the first and second magnets repell each other and act to force the first and second arms away from each other after a stapling action by the stapler.

11. An operator energised stapler according to any one of claims I -7 in which the feed means is a spring feed means.

12. An operator energised stapler substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 or Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.