JPH04323001A - Staple charging device in automatic stapling device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the shortage of staple from occurring in the midway of working and shorten a magazine by a method wherein the number of staple to be charged is detected so as to charge in order to fill up in a device, with which staples are inserted in the predetermined positions on the operational plane of furniture, wooden frame or the like. CONSTITUTION:The automatic stapling device concerned is equipped with a tacker position, which travels between a stapling site and a staple charging position, at which a staple charging device is equipped so as to fill up staples in a magazine 41 provided on a tacking device. The charging device consists of a hopper part 1, which feeds out connected staples 3a by sets, a detecting mechanism 2, which detects the number of staple capable to charge to the magazine of the tacking device at the charging position, a separating mechanism 4, which separates the number of staples detected with the detecting mechanism 2 from the staples sent from the hopper part 1, and a charging mechanism 5, with which a number of separated staples are charged to the magazine.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention is an automatic stapling device that moves a tacker device equipped with a magazine along a construction surface such as furniture or wooden frames to staple at a predetermined position. The present invention relates to a staple loading device that moves a tacker device to a predetermined charging position every time the magazine is loaded with staples.

0002

[Prior art and its problems] In general, a tacker device equipped with a magazine is moved along a construction surface such as furniture or a wooden frame to automatically apply staples at predetermined locations, and the staples in the magazine are consumed. Sometimes, there is a device in which the tacker device is moved to a predetermined position and the staple charger device replenishes the staples. and,
This staple loading device may be one in which a detection means for detecting staples in the magazine of the tacker device is installed in the magazine, and the tacker device immediately performs a staple charging operation upon detecting the absence of staples, or a Detects a decrease in the amount of staples remaining in the magazine during stapling (or detects the amount of staples in the magazine at the end of a series of stapling operations) and loads staples when a series of operations are completed. There are known things that can be used to perform actions.

By the way, if the staples run out during a series of stapling operations and the operation is interrupted to replenish the staples, the efficiency of the operation will decrease. For this reason, it is preferable to detect the absence of staples at the end of a series of stapling operations and replenish the staples. However, if the magazine at the time of detection does not have enough space for a series of connected staples, new staples cannot be refilled. A magazine with a length that can accommodate the number of staples to be used and a series of connected staples is required. With such a long magazine, stapling can be performed in narrow spaces such as the inside of furniture. With a magazine that can accommodate only a series of connected staples, its length can be made relatively small, making it possible to staple in narrow spaces.
Since the magazine cannot be refilled with staples until it is completely empty, unless the number of staples required for a series of operations and the number of connected staples in a series match perfectly, It is impossible to coincide with the completion of the work.

As described above, in the prior art, since the length of a series of connected staples is fixed, it is difficult to synchronize the timing of a series of stapling operations and staple replenishment, and the length of the magazine is shortened. The more I tried, the more difficult it became.

[0005]

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks, makes it possible to shorten the length of the magazine, and prevents the occurrence of staple breakage during a series of stapling operations. It is an object of the present invention to provide a staple loading device in an automatic stapler that enables stapling work and improves the efficiency of automatic stapler.

[0006]

[Means for achieving the object] In order to achieve the above object, the staple loading device in the automatic stapling device according to the present invention is a staple loading device for an automatic staple driving device used for manufacturing furniture, wooden frames, etc. A tacker device that is controlled to move along a stapling area of the material to drive staples to a predetermined stapling position, and is controlled to move to a predetermined charging position each time a series of stapling operations are completed; a staple charger device for replenishing the magazine with staples, the tacker device is equipped with a magazine capable of accommodating enough staples to be consumed in a series of driving operations, and the staple charger device includes: a hopper section that sends out a series of connected staples in which a large number of staples are connected; a detection mechanism that detects the amount of staples that can be loaded into the magazine of the tacker device disposed at the charging position; The present invention is characterized by comprising a separation mechanism that cuts and separates the staple amount detected by the detection mechanism among the staples, and a loading mechanism that loads the separated staples into the magazine of the tacker device.

The detection mechanism includes a detection piece that is moved along the magazine of the tacker device disposed at the charging position, and the detection piece detects the position of the pusher in the magazine to detect the staples that can be loaded. The amount may also be detected.

[0008] The detection mechanism further includes a main stock rail for accommodating the connected staples sent out from the hopper section, and a stopper piece that operates integrally with the detection piece is disposed within the main stock rail. Accordingly, the amount of staples that can be loaded into the main stock rail may be detected.

Furthermore, the separation mechanism includes an auxiliary stock rail on which a series of connected staples sent out from the hopper section are arranged, and a main stock rail aligned with the auxiliary stock rail, and includes a main stock rail that is arranged in alignment with the auxiliary stock rail. A loadable amount of staples is separated from the staples by relatively moving both rails in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of both stock rails to separate connected staples that are continuously arranged across the rails. It is also possible to have a configuration in which

0010

[Operation] In the above configuration, by moving the tacker device to the charging position after completing a series of staple driving operations, the staple charger device is activated, and the detection mechanism selects the staples supplied from the hopper section into the magazine of the tacker device. To detect the amount of staples that can be loaded, further to separate only the amount of staples, and to perform staple replenishment loading work of replenishing the separated staples into the magazine of a tacker device waiting at a charging position by a loading mechanism. Can be done.

In this case, in the detection mechanism, the detection piece that is moved along the magazine of the tacker device detects the position of the pusher in the magazine, thereby making it possible to detect the amount of staples that can be loaded.

Similarly, if a stopper piece that operates integrally with the detection piece is arranged in the main stock rail, the end of the connected staple can be loaded into the main stock rail by engaging the stopper piece. The staple amount is detected.

[0013]Furthermore, a connecting staple is arranged continuously from the hopper section, spanning between the auxiliary stock rail and the main stock rail, which are arranged so as to be aligned with each other, so that the two rails are relatively perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof. By moving in the direction, a loadable amount of staples is separated from the staples.

[0014]

[Example] The automatic stapling device is used as a device for assembling furniture, etc., and has a frame-like frame that positions and presses materials such as top plates, side plates, and back plates placed at predetermined positions. Along the line, the tacker device is controlled to move in the X-Y direction and in the rotation/tilt direction to staple the material at a predetermined position. and,
The automatic stapler is provided with a staple loading device that replenishes and reloads a predetermined number of staples by controlling the movement of the tacker device to a predetermined charging position every time a series of stapler operations are completed.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the tucker device 40
is provided with an impact drive mechanism (not shown) that impulsively drives the driver using compressed air, and a magazine 41 that supplies staples to the front of the driver. The magazine 41 includes a staple accommodating section 42 that is formed in a length that can accommodate enough staples to be consumed in a series of operations and has an open rear end, and a U-shaped staple accommodating section 42 that is disposed within the accommodating section 42. A guide bar 43 that guides the staples, and a staple pusher 4 that engages with the rear end of the staples loaded in the storage section 42 to press and urge the connected staples forward.
Consists of 4. The staple pusher 44 includes a frame portion 44a that is arranged at a distance from the guide bar 43 and is movable along the longitudinal direction of the magazine 41;
The frame portion 44a is provided with a pin 45 projecting to the side of the magazine 41. Such a tacker device 40 may be of any known type except for the pin 45.

[0016] The tacker device 40, for example, carries out the finished product after completing stapling work on one material, and
Each time a series of stapling operations is completed, such as when setting a new material, a staple charger device is placed at a predetermined charging position (Fig. 7) to replenish the amount of staples consumed in that operation. , the position shown in FIG. 8).

As shown in FIG. 1, the staple charger device includes a hopper section 1 that feeds out connected staples 3a in which a large number of staples are connected one by one, and a magazine 41 of a tacker device 40 disposed at the charging position. a detection mechanism 2 that detects the amount of staples that can be loaded;
a separating mechanism 4 that cuts and separates the staple amount detected by the detection mechanism from among the staples sent out from the hopper section 1; a loading mechanism 5 that loads the separated staples into the magazine 41 of the tacker device 40; It consists of

The hopper section a is unitized as shown in FIG. The hopper unit a is provided with a hopper 1 that accommodates a plurality of connected staples 3 in multiple stages, and an auxiliary stock rail 6 that is connected to the side of the hopper 1. An opening 7 having substantially the same dimensions as the side surface shape of the lowermost connecting staple 3 is formed on one side of the opening 7, and a horizontal pusher is provided on one side of the opening 7 for feeding the side surface of the lowermost connecting staple 3a to the auxiliary stock rail 6. 8 and a cylinder device 9 that drives this. Therefore, a series of connected staples 3 are sequentially paid out and supplied to the auxiliary stock rail 6. Further, at one end of the auxiliary stock rail 6, a vertical pusher 10 for pushing out the connecting staples 3 on the auxiliary stock rail 6 along its longitudinal direction and a cylinder device 11 for driving the vertical pusher 10 are provided.
is provided. Furthermore, the hopper unit a is mounted on the base 1
9 (see FIG. 6), it is movably installed in a direction horizontally orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the connecting staple 3. This horizontal movement is performed by a cylinder device 18 (see FIG. 6) fixed to the base 19.

A stocker unit b is arranged on an extension of the auxiliary stock rail 6 in the direction in which the connected staples 3 are supplied. As shown in FIG. 5, this stocker unit b has a support plate 13 disposed vertically slidably on a guide rail 12 fixed perpendicularly to a base 19.
and a cylinder device 14 connected to the upper end of the support plate 13.
and a main stock rail 15 protruding from the lower end of the support plate 12. The cylinder device 14
is fixed to the upper end of the support member 16 that supports the guide rail 12, and drives the main stock rail 15 in the vertical direction. The stocker unit b is positioned such that when the main stock rail 15 is in the upper position, it aligns with the end of the auxiliary stock rail 6, as shown in FIG. 2, and in the lower position as shown in FIG. when,
The loading mechanism 5 and the tacker device 40 waiting at the charging position
The rear end of the magazine 41 is aligned with the rear end of the magazine 41.

In the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, the horizontal pusher 8 supplies the lowest connecting staple 3a in the hopper 1 to the auxiliary stock rail 6, and
After the hopper unit a is moved by 8 to align the auxiliary stock rail 6 and the main stock rail 15 as shown in FIG. 2, it is transferred to the main stock rail 15 by the vertical pusher 10. If some of the connected staples remain on the auxiliary stock rail 6 before the horizontal pusher 8 is driven, the horizontal pusher 8 is driven after being supplied to the main stock rail 15 by the vertical pusher 10. A portion of the connected staples 3a sent to the main stock rail 15 by this supply normally remains on the auxiliary stock rail 6. In this way, the connecting staples 3 are continuously arranged astride the auxiliary stock rail 6 and the main stock rail 15.

Next, the amount of connected staples stored in the main stock rail 15 is determined by the detection mechanism 2 provided in the detection/loading unit c (see FIG. 5) located at the bottom of the hopper unit a. . The detection mechanism 2 includes a detection piece 20 that detects the position of the staple pusher 44 by engaging with a pin 45 protruding from the staple pusher 44 of the tacker device 40 disposed at the charging position shown in FIGS. 7 and 8; A stopper piece 21 that is disposed within the main stock rail 15 of No. 2 and sets the amount of staples to be accommodated in the main stock rail 15 is provided on the detection arm 22, and the detection arm 22 is moved forward and backward by a cylinder device 23. has been done. Detection piece 20
is provided at the tip of the detection arm 22, and the stopper piece 21
is provided so as to protrude from the lower surface of an overhanging portion 24 which is raised from the base end of the detection arm 22 and extends further inward. As shown in FIG. It is set to be located at the boundary with the stock rail 15.

As shown in FIG. 5, the detection arm 22 extends in the longitudinal direction of the auxiliary stock rail 6 and the main stock rail 15 along a guide rail 26 provided on an upright wall 25 fixed to the base. The cylinder device 23 is fixed to an upright wall 27 provided at right angles to the upright wall 25. In addition, the detection arm 22
moves along the magazine 41, and at its tip, together with the detection piece 20, is provided a return claw member 28 that returns the staple pusher 44 of the magazine 41 to the rear after staple loading is completed. The return claw member 28 is
It is supported so that it can be rotated with a force slightly greater than that required to move the staple pusher 44 of the magazine 41 of the tacker device 40.

In the above configuration, when the detection arm 22 moves forward by the cylinder device with respect to the tacker device 40 in a standby state at the charging position shown in FIG. move on. When the detection piece 20 engages with the pin 45 provided on the staple pusher 44 of the magazine 41, the detection arm 22 cannot move forward any further and therefore stops. At this time, the stopper piece 21 also stops at one point on the main stock rail 15 as shown in FIG. The position at which the detection piece 20 and the stopper piece 21 stop is determined by the position of the staple pusher 44.
The position of 4 is determined by the remaining amount of connected staples remaining in the magazine 41. Since the amount of movement of the detection piece 20 and the amount of movement of the stopper piece 21 are equal, the main stock rail 15 shown in FIG.
and the stopper piece 21 at the boundary between the auxiliary stock rail 6 and the auxiliary stock rail 6.
The moving distance L from the stopper piece 21 to the stopper piece 21 shown in FIG. This length L is set as the staple length that can be loaded into the magazine 41. Note that, before the detection piece 20 engages with the pin 45, the return claw member 28 engages with the pin 45, and then rotates to pass the pin 45.

Next, the separation mechanism 4 moves to the stocker unit b.
It is constructed by moving the hopper unit a relatively to the hopper unit a. After the connected staples 3 are continuously arranged across the auxiliary stock rail 6 and the main stock rail 15, as shown in FIG. When the auxiliary stock rail 6 and the main stock rail 15 are moved relative to each other to the shifted position, the alignment of the abutting portions of the auxiliary stock rail 6 and the main stock rail 15 is released, so the adhesive material that connects the staples on the boundary is cut, and the connected staples are separated. 3 is separated into one 3b on the auxiliary stock rail 6 and one 3c on the main stock rail 15. The main stock rail 15 accommodates a predetermined number of staples that can be loaded into the magazine 41 of the tacker device 40.

Further, in the detection/loading unit c, a cylinder device 30, a pusher 31 driven by the cylinder device 30, and a guide portion 32 for guiding the pusher 31 are provided at the upper part of the detection arm 22. Guide part 3
2 has the same cross section as the main stock rail 15 and is arranged on the extension of the magazine 41 of the tacker device 40 in the charging position, and when the main stock rail 15 is in the lower position shown in FIG. configured to align with one end. In this state, the other end of the main stock rail 15 comes into contact with the rear end of the magazine 41 of the tacker device 40 which is in the charging position. Therefore, the pusher 31 is driven by the cylinder device 30 to connect the connecting staple 3b on the main stock rail 15.
When pressed, the connected staples 3b are loaded into the magazine 41. In this way, the cylinder device 30, the pusher 31, and the main stock rail 15 constitute the staple loading mechanism 5 for the tacker device 40.

Next, the manner of use of the staple loading device having the above structure will be explained.

When the tacker device 40 completes a series of stapling operations and is set at the charging position, the staple charger device starts a charging operation. First, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 7, and FIG.
It stops at the position where it engages. Thereby, the position of the stopper piece 21 on the main stock rail 15 is determined. Note that before the detection piece 20 engages with the pin 45, the return claw member 28 engages with the pin 45 and then rotates to a position beyond the pin 45. Next, the hopper unit a is moved forward by the cylinder 18 to align the auxiliary stock rail 6 and the main stock rail 15. When there is no connected staple on the auxiliary stock rail 6 of the hopper unit a, the horizontal pusher 8 is driven to feed and feed the lowest connected staple 3a in the hopper 1 to the auxiliary stock rail 6, and then the vertical pusher 10 is driven. Then, the connected staples 3 of the auxiliary stock rail 6 are transferred to the main stock rail 15. The vertical pusher 10 stops when the front end of the transferred connected staple 3 engages with the stopper piece 21 and retreats to its original position. The connected staples 3 transferred in this manner are arranged astride the main stock rails 15.

Note that when the vertical pusher 10 operates, if some of the connected staples 3 remain on the auxiliary stock rail 6 from the previous replenishment loading operation, after this remaining staple is transferred to the main stock rail 15. Then, the horizontal pusher 8 and the vertical pusher 10 perform a series of feeding and transporting of the staples. The operation control in this case is
This can be done using a combination of a limit switch and a timer. That is, a timer that is activated simultaneously with the operation of the vertical pusher 10 and generates a signal for starting the next stage of cutting/separation after a predetermined time has elapsed, and a limit switch that is operated at the end of the operation of the vertical pusher 10 are provided. By setting the timer to a time sufficient to cause the vertical pusher 10 to transfer a series of staples into the main stock rail 15, the timer is reset if the limit switch is operated while the timer is operating. At the same time as this, the vertical pusher 10 is moved backward, and then the horizontal pusher 8 is operated to send out a series of staples 3 in the hopper 1 onto the auxiliary stock rail 6, and the vertical pusher 10 is again pushed against the series of connected staples 3. 10 may be activated.

When the horizontal pusher 8 and the vertical pusher 10 are stopped and the set time of the timer has elapsed, the hopper unit a is driven in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the connected staples (see FIG. 3), and the auxiliary stock rail 6 A relative lateral deviation occurs between the main stock rail 15 and the main stock rail 15,
A series of staples 3 placed across the two are cut and separated at that portion.

When the separation is completed, the stocker unit b is driven downward and placed at a lower position where the main stock rail 15 is aligned with the magazine 41 of the tacker device 40, as shown in FIG. At this time, the stopper piece 21 is removed from the inside of the main stock rail 15. At the lower position, the main stock rail 15 is in contact with the rear end of the magazine 41 of the tacker device 40 in the charging position.
When aligned with the guide portion 32 of the loading unit c, the loading mechanism 5 is activated and the connected staples 3b on the main stock rail 15 are reloaded from the rear end of the magazine 41 of the tacker device 40 along the guide bar 43. .

[0031] When the loading of the staples is completed, each unit a, b, and c returns to its initial state. When the detection arm 22 of the detection/loading unit c moves back, the return claw member 28 engages with the pin 45 of the staple pusher 44 to pull the staple pusher 44 back toward the rear of the magazine 41. At this time, the pressing portion 44 of the staple pusher 44
b slides on the surface of the reloaded interlocking staple 3b. When the staple pusher 44 reaches a predetermined position at the rear end of the magazine 41, the pin 45 cannot move back any further, so the return claw member 28 rotates as shown in FIG.
The engagement with is released. The pressing portion 44b of the staple pusher 44 pushes the guide bar 43 over the replenishment staples.
The replenishing staple is brought into contact with the surface of the stapler and engaged with the rear end of the replenishing staple by elastic bias, and preparation for the next series of stapling operations is completed.

[0032]

According to the present invention, the number of staples to be loaded into the magazine of the tacker device can be freely selected because the connected staples can be separated and the number of staples consumed in a series of stapling operations can be refilled. Can be done. Since the length of the magazine can be set shorter than the length of the series of connected staples, the dimensions of the magazine installed in the tacker can be set short enough to accommodate the staples used in the series of staples. . Therefore, stapling can be performed in a narrow space, such as between furniture drawers.

Furthermore, since the timing of staple replenishment and a series of staple driving operations can be matched, staple breakage does not occur during the operation, and work efficiency is improved.

Furthermore, since there is no need to install a staple remaining amount detection mechanism in the tacker device, the structure of the device can be simplified.

The amount of staples that can be loaded into the magazine can be easily detected by moving the detection piece along the magazine of the tacker device at the charging position and detecting the pusher position of the magazine.

At this time, by disposing a stopper piece that operates integrally with the detection piece in the main stock rail, it is possible to detect the amount of staples that can be loaded into the main stock rail.

[0037] Further, connecting staples that are continuously arranged astride the main stock rail and the auxiliary stock rail that is arranged in alignment with the main stock rail are connected in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the stock rails relative to each other. By moving the staples to , it is possible to separate the amount of staples that can be loaded from the staples.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a staple charger device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the detection of connected staples to be replenished and the state of supply of connected staples from the hopper.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the operating state of the connected staple separation mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the operating state of the connecting staple loading mechanism.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the staple charger device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the hopper unit.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram when a detection mechanism acts on the tacker device at the charging position.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a return movement state of the detection arm from the charging position.

FIG. 9 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a staple pusher portion of the tacker device.

[Explanation of symbols]

a Hopper part 1 Hopper 2 Detection mechanism 3. Staple 4 Separation mechanism 5 Loading mechanism 40　Tucker device 41 Magazine

Claims (4)

[Claims] Claim 1. An automatic staple driving device used in the manufacture of furniture, wooden frames, etc., which drives staples to predetermined stapling positions by controlling movement along the stapling work area of the material to be stapled, and The tacker device has a tacker device that is controlled to move to a predetermined charging position each time a series of driving operations are completed, and a staple charger device that replenishes staples to a magazine provided in the tacker device. The staple charger device is equipped with a magazine capable of accommodating staples sufficient for the amount of staples to be consumed, and the staple charger device includes a hopper section that feeds out a series of connected staples in which a large number of staples are connected, and a tacker disposed at the charging position. A detection mechanism that detects the amount of staples that can be loaded into the magazine of the device, a separation mechanism that cuts and separates the amount of staples detected by the detection mechanism from among the staples sent out from the hopper section, and is separated. 1. A staple loading device for an automatic stapler, comprising: a loading mechanism for loading staples into a magazine of a tacker device. 2. The detection mechanism further includes a detection piece that moves along the magazine of the tacker device disposed at the charging position and detects the position of the staple pusher of the magazine. 1
A staple loading device in the automatic stapling device described in . 3. The detection mechanism includes a main stock rail for accommodating the connected staples sent out from the hopper section, a stopper piece that operates integrally with the detection piece is disposed within the main stock rail, and 3. The staple loading device in an automatic stapling device according to claim 2, wherein the stopper piece engages an end of a connected staple supplied to the main stock rail. 4. In the separating mechanism, an auxiliary stock rail and a main stock rail on which a series of connected staples sent out from the hopper section are arranged are provided separately, and both rails are alignable and both rails are arranged. 2. The staple loading device for an automatic stapler according to claim 1, wherein the staple loading device is arranged movably in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the stapler.