GB2453747A - Driving tool for fencing staples - Google Patents

Abstract

A tool for driving a staple 1 into a timber post comprises a guide 2 of suitable size and shape to be gripped by hand, and a punch 3. The guide has a bore running its full length, which may be enlarged at one end with diametrically opposed grooves to locate and guide the staple. The punch is a sliding fit in the bore of the guide, and protrudes from the guide at one end, where it is struck with a hammer. The tool may include additional hand protection (10, fig 6), multiple grooves (11, 12, fig 5) of different sizes for different sized staples, a means (13, 14, fig 6) of retaining the punch in the guide, and may be magnetized at its end.

Description

DRIVING TOOL FOR FENCING STAPLES

This invention relates to a hand tool which, together with a hammer, is used for inserting U-shaped, galvanised fencing staples. This type of staple is widely used to attach various sorts of wire fencing materials to wooden posts, typically by farmers for containment of livestock. The usual method of inserting the staple is to hold it with the fingers and strike it directly with the hammer, but the operation is more difficult than driving in a nail, and sometimes results in injured fingers, and lost or damaged staples.

To overcome these problems, the present invention proposes a tool comprising, in its simplest form, two parts. The "guide" is typically cylindrical, with a bore running its full length, and grooves equal in length to the staple cut into opposite sides of the bore at one end. The "punch" is a sliding fit in the bore of the guide, and protrudes from the guide at one end where it can be struck with a hammer..

This invention gives a number of advantages. First, the staple is completely contained within the guide so cannot jump out of the post and get lost. Second, the staple is inserted accurately and fully. Third, the outer surface of the guide provides a comfortable hand grip for the user, safe from accidental hammer blows. Fourth, if necessary, the guide makes it easier to adjust the position of the fencing wire, that is, raising or lowering it, or moving it closer to the post. Fifth, staples which are misshapen due to manufacturing defects may be inserted into the guide using light taps from the hammer, thereby correcting their shape before insertion.

By way of example, three different versions of the invention will now be described, with reference to the following drawings: Figure 1 shows a basic form of the invention.

Figure 2 shows the basic form, with an enlarged view of the staple grooves.

Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the basic foimin use, with the staple partly driven into the post.

Figure 4 shows a more advanced form of the invention.

Figure 5 shows the staple grooves of the advanced form.

Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the advanced form.

Figure 7 shows a simplified form of the invention, suitable for smaller staples.

In the basic form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 3, the tool consists of two parts, a guide and a punch. The punch 3 is a suitably hardened steel bar of round cross section. Its diameter is somewhat less than the overall width of the staple 1. The guide 2 is cylindrical in shape, with a ceniral bore in which the punch is a sliding fit. At one end of the guide, shown close-up in Figure 2, the bore 4 is enlarged with two diametrically opposed grooves S which locate and guide the staple. The grooves are equal in length to the staple.

At the same end, the outer surface of the guide is tapered on opposite sides 6 to improved access and visibility. This also creates a transverse slot 7 which allows the tool to straddle the fencing wire when in use. The guide is of sufficient length to provide a comfortable hand grip for the user.

To use the tool, a staple is first inserted into the grooves. If it will not enter readily, it can be persuaded with light taps from a hammer,. In this way the alignment of badly formed staples may be corrected before use. Then the tool is held against the fencing post and the punch is struck with a hammer to insert the staple. Figure 3 shows a sectional view, with the staple 1 partly inserted in the post 8. The fencing wire 9 is located within the transverse slot 7, so the user has full control of both staple and wire.

Figures 4 to 6 show a more advanced form of the invention. Referring to Figure 4, the guide 2 is surrounded by a mushroom-shaped sleeve 10 made of moulded rubber or similar material. This provides a better hand grip for the user, as well as additional protection from accidental hammer blows. The outer end of the punch 3 is enlarged, to give a larger striking surface, and also to increase the mass of the punch for a more efficient transfer of impact.

The end of the guide 2, shown enlarged in Figure 5, contains two pairs of staple grooves, 11 and 12, which are of different sizes. In this way, one tool can be used for two different sizes of staple, for example, the 30mm and 40mm sizes commonly used for livestock fencing. The positioning of the grooves is likely to result in the staple being inserted at a slight angle to the vertical, but this is considered good practice by experienced fencers, as there is less tendency to split the wood when the points of the staple penetrate the grain at different positions.

An alternative method (not illustrated) for accommodating two staple sizes is to have a reversible guide with a pair of grooves at each end.

Figure 6 shows a cross section of the advanced tool, including a means for retaining the punch 3 in the guide 2. A set screw 13 is located in a tapped hole in the guide, and engages with a recess 14 in the punch.

To improve the retention of staples which are not a firm fit in the grooves, the end of the punch may be magnetised.

Figure 7 shows a further variant of the invention: a simplified form which is intended for smaller staples where less force is required. The aim is economy of manufacture, as both the guide 2 and the punch 3 can be manufactured from extruded sections. The guide is provided with a transverse slot 7 for wire location, as in the other versions. In this version of the invention, the punch engages with the staple grooves, which extend for the full length of the guide.

Claims (10)

1. A tool for driving staples into timber, comprising firstly a guide, of suitable size and shape to be gripped in the hand, having a bore running through its full length, the bore being enlarged at one end with diametrically opposed grooves to locate and*guide the staple; and secondly a punch which is a sliding fit in the bore of the guide and protrudes from the guide at one end where it is struck with a hammer.

2. A staple driving tool according to claim 1, in which the end of the guide which houses the staple is tapered to improve access and visibility.

3. A staple driving tool according to claim I, in which the end of the guide which houses the staple contains a transverse slot to locate the wire.

4. A staple driving tool according to claim I, in which the guide is fitted with an outer sleeve for improved grip and hand protection.

5. A staple driving tool according to claim 1, in which the striking end of the punch is enlarged.

6. A staple driving tool according to claim 1, incorporating two or more pairs of grooves of different sizes to accommodate different sizes of staple.

7. A staple driving tool according to claim!, in which the guide is reversible with grooves of different sizes at each end to accommodate different sizes of staple.

8. A staple driving tool according to claim 1, which incorporates a means of retaining the punch in the guide while allowing sufficient travel to drive the staple.

9. A staple driving tool according to claim 1, in which the end of the punch is magnetised to improve retention of the staple.

10. A staple driving tool according to claim I, in which the punch engages with the staple grooves which extend for the full length of the guide, allowing both parts to be manufactured from extruded material.