US2073959A - Stapling machine - Google Patents

Description

March 16, 1937. Q A, CROSBY STAPLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 1, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet l March l16, 1937.

s. A. CROSBY STAPLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 1, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY March 16, 1937. A, CROSBY 2,073,959

STAPLING MACHINE vFiled sept. 1, 1934 s sheets-sheet s 'Iliff/lill,

N ew Patented Mar. 16, 1937 UNITEDA STATES sPTENT oFFl-ci-:F

saremmo MacnNE 'stephen A. cmhy, New rm, n. Y., armor t Parrot Speed Fastener Corporation, NewYork, N. Y., a corporation 'of New York 'application -sepiebei 1', 1934A, serial Narrassz 5 'sa claims.

to permit vthe legs of .the guided staple to first penetrate several papers and/or cardboard sheets or the like after which the legs of the guidedstaple 'are swungby the aid of a cooperating anvil as t6 be disposed against the lowermost surface 0f the bottom sheet for yproperly fastening or clinching several sheets :of paper a'nd/or cardboard together. A,

A serious problem in the stapling machine art and vitally concerning the proper operation of a stapling machine has to do with undesirable and inherent clogging ofthe machine, that is, as a. result of clogging due to many causes the reciprocable 'driver becomes jammed orlocked preventing its proper operation, With this condition at hand,\the stapling machinel was generally sent back to the factory Where it was disassembled, inspected, ythe fault corrected and nally A sent back to the owner. The' causes of clogging may be chiefly enumerated` as follows: mst,- clogging due to accumulation of glue from the filml of adhesive on a staple strip, the glue collecting in the form of wads in the staple race. at positions where the foremost staple'of the strip enters. With the race partly obstructed due 'to the accumulation of wads of glue, the next sucfcessive staple of the strip advanced forwardly but irregularly as to overhang or in part register with the race. Consequently on the next downward stroke of the driver the overhanging staple `caused the blade ofthe driver. to jam or lock,

stroke of the driver or-the retraction thereof. 4

`econd, another cause of clogging of astaple or parts thereof was due to tolerance, namely excessive and appreciable lateral shift of the legs and crowns of the staples of a strip of staples mounted on the supporting staple rail as well as the displacement of a staple inthe staple guide race, the lateral shifting of the staples of a strip ,relative to the rail slightly offset the line of the travel of the staple strip .towards the race and further caused improper registration of a staple in respect to the race such that when the blade of the driver struckl the misalined staplein the race, it was impossible to complete the downward stroke 55 without cutting or shearing the staple into pieces.

thusA preventing completion ofv the downward.

Pursuant to cutting or shearing ofa staple, the cutV or chipped pieces thereof would collect in the race and prevent further proper staple feed l thereto, thus further misalining the staples disposed in back of the race. Accordingly the staples at theiback of the race wouldipile up on the supporting rail, causing slight angular displacement of the staple strip relative to the rail, and hence the staples of the striprare severally advanced as to .partly overlap or partly register 10 with the race preparatory to downward stroke of the driver in which case only' fragmentary partsv I of successively fed staples would fall into vthey yrace after the operation of thev driver.

' Third, clogging was also carrie`d into eiect by l5v snapping the follower block several 'times against the rear end of the strip of staples. 'This action broke andf damaged the adhesive film of the staple strip causing parts o f the latter toztelescope on the guide rail so Vthat length of the 2/0 staple strip decr'eased concomitantly increasing ,the width of several of the vstaples in the strip' about irnproper'feed `of a staple of the strip to the vertical race and as in the case of accumula- 0 tion of wads of glue, improper registration of a Y staple relative to the race was obtained. There-1' fore, only a part of a staple was severed by the l blade of 'the driver, hence chips of staples or parts thereof would accumulate in the race and cause clogging.

Fourth, another cause of clogging was due to the incompletion of the downward stroke'of the driver after `the'bladethereof has severed a staple from the strip, thus leaving the disconnected staple in the race so that a successive staple parted from the strip could not register properly with the race or wouldenter the race in part or staples within the race or cut parts of staples would accumulate to prevent a complete or full downward stroke of *the driver.

Fifth, clogging may also be brought about by reason of inherent defects inthe staple strip. If poorly manufactured or inaccurately made, the strip could not be properly confined in the strip 50 guide channel. In such case, portions of the strip would telescope under the inuence of the normal pressure 'on the follower exerted by the spring. Hence improper registrationA of a staple inl respect to the raceV would be obtained and conse- 2 i quenuy ciogging would takeplace. This faint i was due to inaccurately made staples. One staple of a strip may be wrong. Or the entire strip may be defective. In eithencase improper feed of a 5 -staple in respect to the race' would take place as a staple or strip of staples could`not properly be confined within the strip'guide channehbefore reaching the race.

The invention'hasas an important object the provision of a, novel stapling machine having positive means to prevent clogging which would take place if wands-of glue were permitted to accumulate by cleaning the staple raceway o f glue on each complete stroke or cycle of the driver. The invention comprehends as another object the provision of means to prevent clogging normally due to tolerance by closely confining the staple strip within the guide channel of the pivoted arm of the stapling machine as the foremost staple is advanced towards the vertical race and by also closely confining a properly registered staple the-'staple race. In this way the strip of ','staples in the guide channel and a staple in the 'staple ycannot be accidentally displaced in anyfplane'. In other words, according to the inmention, means to prevent accidental displaceof a staple strip in the guide channel and `"fa staple in a prevented by the 'provision of a strip guide channel and a race having a precision iit relative to the staple strip anda staple respectively, With a staple strip closely con- .iined within the strip guide channel and a staple closelyconiinedinthe race, the staple strip and/or a stapleare prevented from accidental displacement in any' plane.

vThe invention has as a specific and important object to provide means to prevent clogging due to the snalming of the follower in the provision of means causing the follower block to hurdle '40 or jumpthe strip of staples'provided the spring to which the follower block is connected be extendedand released, the blow or impact of the follower blockbeing absorbed by a .jacket or housing attached to-the frame of the stapling machine, instead as in the case of older types of stapling machines, if the. follower block were snapped, the force developed pursuant to the re- -lease of the spring, was absorbed directly by the rear portion of the staple strip, causing parts thereof'to telescope'in the guide channel ultimately bringingl about 'improper registration of a staple in respect to the race and such a condition as previously pointed out causes clogging.

Another important object of the invention .re- 5 5 sides in the provision of a novel strokel control mechanism to prevent a complete upward stroke of the driver until a complete downward stroke thereof has been made.

The invmtin has as a further object the provision of a composite staple strip supporting track .comprising a die cast zinc core on'which is mounted a channeled rail of hardened steel,v theY outer surfaces of the rail having a 'relatively smooth finish formed by grinding or burnishing,

the side and the top surfaces of the rail meeting in relatively sharp coi-nei edges, the outer rectilinear surfaces of the rail being adapted to faithfully guide a strip of staples in the guide channel 1 of `the frame.

invention further comprehends as an object thereof to provide a staple expelling instrumentality driver having a floating or loosely pivoted blade which is seIfalining in respect to the raceway without causing` undue friction with the walls ol.' the latter.

The invention has as a'further object the provision ofan improved stapling machine comprising an inner complementary race block having a durable and relatively rugged integrally connected spacer for holding the sides of the frame a required distance apart, the spacer being prevented from shifting downwardly under the impact of the driver on downward strokes thereof in thel matter of discharging a staple or pieces of a staple from the raceway, and since the spacer is prevented from being displaced by the driver, the staple ejecting gap which is the foremost part of the strip guide channelis maintained constant, the gap being formed by the upper surface of the staple supporting rail and the lower surface of ,the spacer of the complementary race block.

The invention has as a further object .the provision of an oscillatable trigger having a terminal portion thereof adapted to sustain-a staple received in the raceway and having an intermediate portion adapted to clear a pocket or recess in back of the raceway of any chips or pieces of staples collected therein in the event and pursuant to incomplete registration of a staple relative to the race is obtained whereby the driver cuts a staple fed into the raceway into several- The invention has as another object the pro vision of means to prevent undue friction or pinching of the drivin'g blade in respect to the walls of the raceway comprising a self retractable staple supporting trigger Ahaving a loose pivotal connection permitting displacement thereof in several planes whereby upon downward displacement of the driving blade, the trigger is merely pivoted whereby the forward portion thereof is moved in an arcuate path only and downwardly and rearwardly throughout thedownward movement of said forward portion and whereby said' blade on further downward displacement frees said forward portion permitting the latter to be disposed against a rear face of said blade whereupon cockedlspring means cooperates with the trigger -to displace said trigger bodily, rearwardly, concomitantly, automatically, elevating said forward portion in back of said blade to yieldin'gly bear against said rear face.

The novel features characterizing the invention are set forth in the appended claims. How- `ever, it is to be understood, that the invention,

both as to its organization and method of operation, together with other objects, advantages, and features thereof, may be best understood if considered in the light of the following description of a specific embodiment when read -in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:-

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal and vertical sectional view of a stapling machine according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is` a sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3 -3 of Fig. 1. A

Fig. 4 is a disassembled or exploded view in perspective of several parts of the stapling machine illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1. v

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-8 of Fig. 1. Fig. 'I is a sectional view on the line '|-1 of Fig. 6 but illustrating the plunger or driver moving downwardly, the down stroke being incompleted. This view also illustrates partly in sec tion the stroke control mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 'I showing the aovaote the plunger on the way up during the return stroke thereof, the-'plunger previously havingV rear complementary race block.`

l Fig. 11 is a fragmentary transverse view partly in section of the swingable arm but more particu- Alarly"illustratiii g in elevation a front view of the rear complementary race block.

' Fig. 12 is a sectional view on the line I2- -I 2 of 15, Fig. 11 and Fig. 13 is a bottom view of Fig. 11 along the line vI3-I3 thereof.

Referring to the drawings', the stapling mechine is generallyedenoted I6. 'I'his machine comprises an elongated base II to which is pivotally connected the displaceable armV I2 having a reciprocable driver or plunger broadly denoted I3.

The base comprises a top wall. I 3 having integrally depending' sides I4 which are interconnected by a rear wall I5. integrally depending from th'e rear portion of the top wall I 3'. Extendingoutwardly and downwardly at the front portion of top wall I3' but integral therewith is 0 the slopingwall I6. Rear wall I5 and the spaced lsides I4. together with sloping wall I6 constitute a rim .in which resilient or appropriate rubber pads I1 and I8 are suitably secured. i More specically the rear pad I1 is disposedas to be held against the rear wall I5 by spaced prongs I8' of an oiset plate I9 disconnectably secured by a set screwf26 tothe lower wall 2| of a channeled shaped member generally denoted 22 'having its upstanding arms 23 and V24 passed through suitable slots 25`in the top wall I3' of the. base.

-The shank of set screw 26 also passes into a suitable opening in the top wall I3' to hold the lower wall 2I of the channel thereagainst. Suitable rivets or the like 26 also secure the top plate I3 and the lower wall 2 I of thechannel 22 together.

The arms 23 and 24 extend above the base, constitute perforated but elongated ears or lugs adapted to'movably guidethe displacement ofthe swingable arm I2, .ears .23 Aand 24 being adapted to sustain the transversely disposed fulcrum rod 21 on which the arm I2 is pivoted.

Resilient pad I8 is secured against the inner 4surface of the forwardly disposed inclined `wall I6 of the base by prong 28 carried by an offset plate 29 secured to a lower depressed wall 36 by set screw 3l. It will be noted that pads I1 and lrextend below the rim of thebase and constitute resilient seats to prevent injuring or marring of a supporting surface on which the stapling'machine is placed.

'Ihe depressed wall 3l)v of Athe base constitutes a transversely disposed shallow recess in which an anvil' plate 33 is appropriately retained. The anvil plate is provided with suitable indentations 34 for properly folding the legs 35 of a staple 36 of a unitary staple strip generally denotedr 31.4

'I'he swingable armv I2 comprises a composite track broadly denoted'38 embodying core 39 and the channeled rail 46. The core 39 is a zinc die casting so formed as to have an elongated body having longitudinal sides 42 and 43 rabbeted to. provide grooves 44 'defining laterally-disposed shoulders 45 and spaced vertical rectilinear faces as 46 which are perpendicular to shoulders 45. The'top horizontal surface 41 ofthe core is relatively smooth and is perpendicular to the' vertl` cal faces 46. The longitudinal central portion of the core defined by the vertical surfaces 46 and horizontal surface 41 constitutes a reduced portion, the upper surface 41 of which forms a seat for the horizontal lower face 48 of web 49 .of the channeled shaped rail 46. Depending sides 56 of the rail closely straddle and fltthe smooth vertical faces 46 of the core. The inner horizontal face or surface 48 of the rail is perpendicular to the inner vertical faces. 5I of the depending sides 56. Hence it is apparent that transverse play of the rail relative to the core cannot take place. Longitudinal displacement of the rail in respect tothe core is also prevented.

To this end the reduced portion of the rail is provided with transverse openings 52 which registerwith the transversely alined openings as 53 in the spaced sides 56 of the rail. A suitable pin or rivet (not shown) is passed through the registered openings 52 and .53 after the rail is placed on the reduced portion of the core. 'Ihe rivets subsequently have their en ds .upset as to be flush with the vertical outer faces of the sides 56 of the rail.

The upper surface 54 of the rail is parallel to the inside horizontal surface 46 and thef outer vertical surfaces 55 and 56 are perpendicular to upper surface 54, the latter and outer surfaces 55 and 56 meeting to define relatively sharp edges as 51. The rail is preferably made of hardened steel having internally and externally accurately ground or burnished precision surfaces, theoutside surfaces 54, 55 and 56 forming complementary means for faithfully aiding to guide the staple strip 31 as it is intermittently advanced forwardly.

Appropriately attached to the verticalsides of the core is a frame generally designated 58. The

frame includes spaced sides 59 and 66 each providedwith upstanding vertically disposed wings as 6l having spaced openings 62 and 63 at the lower portions thereof to frictionally receive .the

laterally extending spaced tongues 64 and 65 of a 'transverse spacer 66 of an inner complementary' race block broadly denoted 61. Pins or `rivets as 68 extending transverselyof the coreare received in companionA alined openings as 69 and 16 of the core and sides of the frame after which their outer endsv are slightly upset for holding' the sides of the`\frame against'the' sidesof the core as is well understood.

The complementary race block 61 is provided with an integrally depending vertically disposed plate 1I having forwardly extending marginal ledges 12 and 13 comprising forwardly and verti-v cally disposed outer surfaces as 14 out .of alinement but parallel to the front vertical face 15of depending plate 1 I.

Withthe frame mounted on and secured to the core of the track, the reduced part 16 ofthe depending plate 1I abuts the end faces 11 of the core 39 an'd the rear vertical faces 18 of the ledges 12 and13 abut the end vertical and flat faces as 19 of sides of the frame (see Figs. 13).

Depending plate 1I has a centrally disposed reduced but externally squared portion 86 on which.

i extending horizontal lip 82 having its lower horizontal surface spaced from the top surface 54 ofl the rail as to leave a relatively narrow transeach of the sides,59 and 50 'further includes an inwardly and longitudinally disposed rib 85 havl ing a vertically arranged inner face 81 adapted to slidably guide and closely confine the vertical Y legs 95 of a staple on the rail.

The inner faces of the frame and the outer surfaces`54, 55 and 55 of the rail form an elon- 15 gated channel 88 in which a staple strip 31 is slidably guided, and since the ribbed sides of the frame are disposed in close spatial proximity to.

the legs of the staples the latteraccordingly are closely confined in the strip guide channel 88 20 until a staple thereof is ejected through gap 82',

the latter being in alinement and in communication with the staple strip channel 88 and is the forward portion thereof. The clearance between the legs of a staple strip and adjacent ribs of the 25 sides of the frame is about the thickness of a sheet of paper, to wit, three to four thousandths of an inch. Hence the tolerance is negligible.

It may be said therefore that in so far .as the staple strip guide channel is concerned the staples 30 therein are supported with precision and without tolerance. In other words, the staple strip is moved in one plane along the guide rail.

The inside -faces as 89 of ledges 12 and 18are disposed in front of the forward face 15 of the race block 61 and together with face 15 constitute the sides and rear face respectively of the .vertically disposed staple race or raceway 90.

The ,inner forward face of the race 90 is formed by the inwardly disposed vertical face or surface 9| of a rugged and durable complementary race block, namely, a U-shaped'guard or shoe 92having its spaced wings or sides 98 and 94 disposed rearwardly. When the guard 92 is mounted on the forward portions of the sides of the frame, the walls Iof notches 95 of wings 93 and 94 straddle outwardly projecting correspondingly shaped lugs 98 carried by the sides of the frame and inwardly pressed lugs or stops 91 of wings 93' and 94 are removably receivable in a recess as 98 of the spaced sides of the frame.

- The raceway 90, thus formed by face 15 of the complementary race block 51 and the spaced faces 89 of spaced ledges thereof together with the inside face 9| of the complementary race block 92 is in one plane at right angles to the strip guide channel 88 and in communication therewith, the'faces of the race closely confining a staple in one plane.

A vertical post`99 is carried by the spacer 66. About post 99 is encircled a helicoidal spring |00. Surrounding the latter is` a hollow housing |0| of driver or plunger I3, the housing being self retractable by reason of automatic expansion of the spring.

Suitably secured to the upper part of the housing |0| is a relatively wide manipulating member or a curved cap'l02 which includes a centrally arranged annular flange |08 about which the upper end of the spring isv appropriately anchored. As shown the housing has rectangular cross section. i

The front wall of the housingcarries a relatively thin but rectangular shaped blade |04 se- 75 cured to the front wall.

relatively rugged and durable complementary More specifically the upper end of the blade includes an opening loosely arranged about neck |05 of rivet 6 which is :xedly secured to the front wall of t e housing.

By reason of the slight loosev `connection of the squared shoulders |01 of the upper portion or rim of guard 92 which extends above the elevation of spacer 86. In other words, when thev plunger is fully retracted the lower portion of the blade is guided between the shoulders |01 and vbetween the inner transverse face of the guard 92,

and front face of the lip 82, the front face of lip 82 being in the same plane as the rearward. face of the raceway 90. In this position, the lower edge of the blade |04 is normally just slightly above the upper edge of the blade ejecting. Sap (see Fig. 11), thus permitting a staple to be fed into the raceway.

With the present construction, theraceway closely confines a staple severed from the strip. Accordingly, the staple within the race cannot be accidentally shifted or misplaced out of the vertical plane by reason of the fact that the raceway isln one plane and by reasonof the close but slidable-connement of the staple, the walls of the raceway, infact constituting a precision iit of a staple relative to the raceway. By reason of the precision flt, the driver, as previously pointed out, causes a complete discharge of any stray glue from the raceway on each cycle thereof, thereby 'successively and periodically-cleaning the raceway of any glue that might collect and cause clogging.

The spacer 56 and depending plate 1| defining the complementary race block 81 arel made from a relatively hard steel. The lower horizontal surface of the spacer andthe lower horizontal faces of the inwardly disposed flanges 83 and 84 overhanging the sides of the frame are in alinement to provide a continuous plane to guide the tops or crowns of the staple strip.

vHitherto, in stapling machines of the character I referred to, one cause of clogging was due to improper registration of a staple with the raceway by reason of the downward shifting or displacement of the race block as a result of being subjected to successive blows by the driver when operated for chopping up a staple or part thereof -in the raceway or shifting due to the usual operation of the machine. According to the invention this objection is overcome and shifting or displacement is prevented by making the spacer of the rugged race block 61 integral with its depending plate 1| which forms a complementary part of the raceway. By preventing downward displacement or shifting of the race, block due to downward pressure of the driver against spacer 65, the staple ejecting gap 82' between guide rail andlip 82 is held constant, that is to' say although tlie lower portion of housing |0| of the driver I3 may transmit successive impacts against the spacer 56 which serves as a stop for the housing when downwardly displaced, the complementary race block 61 according to the invention will not be displaced. This is an important feature of the invention;

'Interposed between and suitably fixed or anchored to the spaced.upstanding wings 8| of the frame is a casing, generally denoted H0. The

casing comprises a` forwardly disposed upstanding channel .|I| having rearwardly depending sides ||2 and ||3 which are inwardly odset Y deningspaced rearwardly extending wings ||4 5 andy ||5 disposed spatially in respect to the spaced side wings 6I of the frame. A pin. ||6 extending: transversely of the casing ||0 at the lower portion thereof has overpleted (see Fig. 8) the interveningportio |25 hanging terminals receivable in alined openings 10 ||1 in, the spaced wings 6| of the frame. Pivotallycarried by fulcrum pin ||6l is .a latch lock member ||8 which lis disposed at the rear of the vertical opening iisji'n theL front wall of -channel 0. A spring |20 having its interme diate portion coiledabout transverse pin ||6thas its lower terminal abutting spacer 66 and its 11p-- per terminal urged against an intermediate portion of the latch member lill. In other' words, springi' normally urges the upper portion of 20 the latch member fin a`direction towards opening IIS.`

To facilitate understanding of the operation of the stroke control mechanism, it is important to keep in mind the positionofthe stop* lug |20 20 whichis carried by housing |0| and overhangs the rear wall |2| thereof. v.When the reciprocable driver is fully retracted by spring |00 (see Fig. '1) the upper face |22 of the stop lug |20 is.a gainst the upper face |23 of the.slot H9, that is, by reason of the coaction of stop lug or overhanging means |20 with the slot H9, the-upward stroke of the driver is limited. In this normal position of the stop lug |20, the forwardly disposed lateral lip |24 of the latch member ||0 bears against the rear'face of stop ing |20. In other wrds, the lip .of the latch member is clear o f the rectangular slot H9. If,

' however, the plunger is depressed, slightly or downwardly, failing to complete a full down stroke, lip |24 of the latch member automatically enters or falls 'into slot or opening I9 by the automatic action of spring1l20'. Consequently, if the plunger is released, in the event a full d own stroke has not been consummated, stop lugl20, now bears against the lower face ofthe lateral lip |24, the latter serving as intervening means to prevent complete retraction of the driver when a full down stroke. has not been effected.

4It follows therefore that it is necessary tomake a complete down stroke of the plunger before a complete return stroke can be made. Consequently if no complete returnI stroke has been made, the lower part of the drivingblade |04 remains within the raceway 90, acting as a closure -for the staple ejecting gap 82' to prevent a successive staple of .the staple strip toenter the raceway. Hence with 4the present invention, only one staple may be admitted intoy the race-4 way at one time. Itfollows that a staple within, the `raceway must be ejected before a successive staple may be admitted therein. 'Ihis is an' important feature of the invention.

In completing the full down stroke of the driver. the lateral lip |24 goes through the following cycle; first; it is normally out of the opening ||9 (Fig. 1); secondly`;'when the plunger is moved Adown it automatically enters opening-A IIS and acts as an intervener, for example, see Figs. 8 and 10; thirdly, .during the continuation of the down' stroke the intervening portion |25 .of the rear` wall |2 between lower and upper openings |26 and |21 of thedriver'housing (see Fig. '1) actuates the wheel or pawl |28 by first abutting intermediate camor finger 13| causing the pawl to rotate or oscillate slightly causing retracts the lip |24 from the opening lili, the

lpawl being rotatably mounted and -guided on the transverse pin |30 carried by side walls ||2 and ||3 of the casing ||0. V

Fifthly, when the down stroke has been com-,- l

clears, or is free. of the pawl |28 and its` inter- .mediate nose or finger |3| falls into lthe upper opening |21 and consequently by reason oi' the inherent. action of spring |20', lip |24again falls into opening I i9. In this position of the driver, the housing |01 is against the spacer 66 of the complementary race block 61 the spacer in thisinstancel serving as a stop.

Sixthly, when the plunger is retracted, opening |21 moves upwardly and away from the pawl |28 but the intervening portion |25. oscillates or rocks the pawi, rotating it in opposite direction,

hence cam or finger |32 thereof strikes latch .member ||8 moving the latterrearwardly, again causing lip |24 to' leave opening i9.

rotate the pawl in an opposite direction by reason of the pressure on the part of spring |20', .and the forward portion of lip |24 moves towards opening ||9 but cannot enter 'therein since the stop lug |20 is now occupying the upperend of opening ||9- (see Fig. 1). vIt is therefore apparent that if a complete downward stroke has been made, the plunger may be fully retracted; In other wcrds, the latch member is clearof opening H9. lWhere an incomplete down stroke v i has been made, it is impossible to carry into eiect aconiplete return stroke by reason of disposition of the lip of the latch member, which lip is automatically arranged in opening H9 and serves as an intervener as previously pointed out. The stroke control mechanism above alluded to is an important feature of the present invention. With the old form of` stapling machines, should vthe operator make'several incomplete strokes, staples would be fed into the raceway but not tightly lodged in the racewayV ultimately causing Y invention, vdoes not rise high enough to clearthe foremost staple of the staple strip thereby preventing a succemive staple from entering the raceway. -Consequently a full down stroke is necessary to expelthe. staple in theraceway. In other words, according to the invention means is provided to prevent entrance of a staple in the raceway if there be a staple in part or in whole within the raceway.

Associated with core 39 and pivotally sustained by a transverse fulcrum pin or supporting means |35 carried thereby is an oscillatable trigger or lever'generally designated- |36. The body of the trigger is provided with a relatively short longitudinally disposed slot |31 forming'a loose pivotal connection with pin |35 to permit `slight longitudinal displacement of the trigger after the latter has been depressed or released. The 'trigger has its intermediate portion |38 slidably disposed and guided in a reduced longitudinal slot |39 axially disposed inthe core and its for- -wardly disposed portion |40 arranged to travel ln the vertical rectangular shaped enlarged opening or pocket |4| which is centrally located in the core and is in communication with reduced lslot |39, the latter terminating in a vertical recess |42 in which the upper portion of the frustroconical spring |43 is secured. The lower portion of spring I 43 is coiled about post |44 carried by the rear terminal |45 of the trigger. Spring |43 acts to hold the forward portion |40 of the trigger normally elevated or raised. The terminal |46 of the forward portion of the trigger is held in a normally raised position byspring |43 and' is guided in the vertical slot |41 in the depending plate 1|. The terminal portion |46 further extends beyond the front face of depending plate -1| and projects into the vertical raceway (see Fig. l) such that its foremost inclined extremity |48 is in close proximity tothe forwardly disposed surface of the raceway, which is formed by inner transverse face 9| of guide channel 92.

i As illustrated in Iliig. 1, the blade |04 is slightly f above a staple 36 which is in registration with the staple raceway 90. Movement of the plunger A downwardly,y severs the registered staple fromv the staple strip 31. 'I'he severed staple is moved downward within the raceway by the lower por- 'tion of the driving blade |04. The crown of the staple, .accordingly meets theoverhanging portion of the trigger. Further downward movement of the driving blade causes-the vfront portion of the trigger to pivot or swing downwardly and 'undue friction of the trigger with the driving blade and pinching of the driving blade with the of the raceway is prevented.

torted, that is, its vertical axis is at an angle other than a right angle relative -to the terminal and enlarged convolution |43' to provide a slight longitudinal component of force to permit the terminal of the trigger to. normally overhang the raceway. A relatively great longitudinal component of force is needless and would cause forward face of the raceway. Hence a relatively small longitudinal component ,is utilized and binding of the driving blade with the rear wall Recapitulating as the' driving-blade moves I downwardly, the trigger first merely pivots on pin |35 and when the' forward terminal |46 thereof is clear of raceway '90, it 'slips 0E 'the bottom of the driving blade, at which time beV cause of the larger vertical component of force of the cocked conical spring |43the terminal of the trigger is raised before the return of the blade. This terminal is automatically elevated in back'of the driving blade, the action of the cocked spring together with the loose pivotal tion' of the trigger, causing the latter to move tion of the staple with the raceway take/place.

cut. pieces will fall 'into the spaced vertical slots of lthe depending plate l1| and in back.

, thereof into the pocket or recess |4| defined by slightly inwardly relative to the core, that is although the staple is moved downwardly in one plane by reason of its close confinement in the 'raceway, the terminal portion of the trigger disappears due to the latters pivotal relation with supporting pin |35 and is confined within vertical slot |41 and accordingly is clear of the' staple in the raceway. Continued further movement of the driving blade downwardly causes the legs of the downwardly moving staple to strike the in dentations 34 of the anvil 33'carried by the base. The staple accordingly is deformed and expelled" from the raceway.

Immediately vafter the lower portion of the driving blade has passed the terminal of the trigger which is now disposed in the vertical slot |41, the trigger automatically is restored to a raised position by reason of spring |43. That is to say, although the driving blade is still moving down, the forward portion'of the trigger is elevated but bears yieldingly against the downwardly moving blade (see Fig. 8), by reason of the loose pivotal connection, permitting slight longitudinal rearward bodily displacement of the trigger but 'caused by the action of spring |43, and consequently undue friction or binding between the driving blade and the forward Wall of the raceway is prevented.

Conieal spring |43 is normally slightly gis.

vthe forwardly disposed spaced terminals |9| of `the core 39, these terminals having sloping faces |92 in which pieces of cut staples ride downwardly and into the pocket or throat |4| and onto the base of the machine. Accumulation of "pieces of cut up staples in throat |4| is also prevented by the automatic return of the forward vportion of the trigger and in striking lPPel' face |93 of the vertical trigger guide slot |41, pieces of staples clinging to the trigger are shaken oil'. Since the trigger during a complete cycle thereof travels through the major portion of opening I4 it also facilitates to keep the latter free of any small pieces of staples, causing the latter to fall through opening or throat |4| and outside of the arm onto the base. Chips of staples failing to fall into throat |4| ride downwardly'on the inclined faces or chutes |94 on plate 1| and will vbe ejected from the raceway before a succeeding staple is admitted therein.

Suitable pressure is automatically provided at the back ofthe staple strip 31 to urge the foremost staple thereof towards the raceway. For

this purpose a follower broadly vdenoted |50 is slidably mounted on rail ,40 as to abut the rear end of the staple strip. The follower block |50 is a channel shaped member as shown.A

Rigidly secured to the follower is an elongated ,metal strap 5| which comprises a cam shaped terminal |52 removably receivable in an elongated opening |53 of a saddle |54 having spaced upstanding perforated manipulatable ears '|55.`

Interconnecting the spaced ears |55 of saddle |54 is a transverse pin |56 which' is loosely sur-l rounded by thel curved eyeportion of clip v| 51 having spaced arms |58 between which the rear end of a relatively wide but atspring |59 'is permanently secured, that is, thev fulcrum pin ,5 |56 may be rotated relative to'the `eye portion of the clip if saddle |54 is tilted upwardly and forwardly. The eye portion of the clip may be .considered as a bearing in which pin |56 is rotated ,Y if the saddle be tilted. The innermost end |60 otsp'ring |59 ls appropriately retained in the diametrically disposed slot` |6| of the rotatable and adjustable arbor or bolt |62 journaled in the spaced wings 6| of the frame, the.V

' width of the spring |59 being substantially co- Ilatter against displacement.

`lextensive the width of thetransverse gap de. ned by the spaced wings. I I4 and ||5 of stroke control mechanism housing ||0.

.One end of the arbor is provided with a suitable` slot adapted to-receve a tapered portion of a 2 0 screw driver or the like whereby the arbor may be rotated to wind up' the spring or adjust the tension thereof. With the desired pressure adjusted, a locking stud |64 is actuated so that 'its flanged head |65 is clamped against the 2 5 enlarged head |66 of the arbor to hold the By reason of the pressure-applied to the cam'l'52 by the saddle |54, the follower block |50 urges the s taple stripl forwardly as is well understood.

If the saddle |54'be reciprocatedone or more times accidentally or deliberately, the inner face of opening |53 rides over the outside rear face of camjl52'and the saddle |54 becomes detached from the cam, flying forwardly by the action of the spring, namely, hurdles or jumps the inter;

mediate portion of the staple strip and strikes against the rearwardly disposed irregularly shaped transverse l,closure |61 .disconnectably `mounted on the vspaced side'wings as |68 ofa jacket generally denoted |69. 'More specifically,

the depending tongues |10 of the closure |61 absorb the impact of the flying saddle. In this l `way telescoping oi the staple strip is` prevented as a result of snapping of the. follower block;

'Ihe closure |61 is provided with laterally disposed lugs 1| andrecesses |12 which respectively cooperate and interlock with recesses' |13 and lugs or tongues |141 of the channeled shaped l Vjacket 69 to prevent bodilytransverse displace- 50 ment of the side wings |68 while the set screw j |15 adjustably interconnectedwith the threaded boss |14' of .the rear casing ||0vprevents longitudinal displacement of theclosure l|61 relative to the wings |68 of the jacket |69.

V55, The forwardly 'disposed portions |16 of-.wings |68 and the front wall |11 of jacket |69 together` with the front wall of casing `I |0 constitutev a rectangularly shaped bore |18 within which the hollowwhousing |0| is reciprocably guided,

the helicoidal spring |00 normally holding the.

70 framev and the Acore of the staplesupporting track.

The jacket |69 has its lower portion cut away to provide reentrantrecesses each having a longitudinal shoulder |8| cooperating' with and c seated o n the topallned surfaces |82. |63 and |84 of the complementary guide block or guardl 92 to hold the latter against vertical4 displace! ment. f

. Closely embracing the outer vertical faces of the'guard 92 and the front portions |16 of the wings of the `jacket |69 is .a channel shaped shield |85, the sides of which are secured to the front portions |16 by suitablemeans, such as ad- .instable bolts |86. The shield |85 aids also to prevent displacement of the complementary race blockv92 relative to the companion l'complementary raceblock 61.

AY latch 200 is swingably mounted on post 20| and is bodily carried by the pivotal arm 2. The

free or lower end of the latch 200 Iincludes a lip i 202 to coactwith a lower surface of web 2| of channel 22 aboutopening' .203. As shown in Fig.

1, the swingable arm I2 is locked in an intermediate position by the latch 200. If it is desired t to increase the 'gap between the forward portion of the arm and the anvil, the latch is manually displaced rearwardly, thusremoving lip 4292 from web 2|. Spring 204 surrounding the latch then automatically operates to, raise the arm which bodily carries the lower. part ofthe `latch partly through openingl 203. By moving the forward portion o f the armdownwardly,

latch 200 automatically voperates to dispose lip- 202 against the lower face of the webv 2| and hence the arml I2 Ais held in the intermediate position illustrated: 1

In the broader aspects of the invention, I do not desire to be understood as limiting the embodiment thereof to details herein shown illus-` tratively as a wide variety of modications may be made Within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the'inven.- tion. 1

' I claim:

l. In a stapling machine, the combination of,

a base having an anvil and a self-raising but clepressible arm pivotally connected to said base, said `arm comprising a reciprocable driver having a blade, said arm including a staple strip supporting rail, said arm comprising spaced sides each having an inwardly disposed rib coasting with depending legs of the staples of said strip to closely but movably conne said legs against the sidesof said rail.

2. In a stapling machine, abase, an arm swing- Y.

ably connected thereto, a self retracting reciprocable driver movably guided within said arm,

said arm comprising a composite track having a core embodying a squared reduced portion and a channeled r-ail immovably mounted on said core and on said' reduced portion, complemen.

tary members deiini'ng a vertically disposed raceway, one of said members having spacer means including lanintegrally depending plate having forwardly disposed ledges, said plate having a rdlicedsquared portion ony which one end of said rail is mounted, the other of. said complementary members having means connected to a 'forward portion of saidarm and comprising a` transversey face disposed against the forward..

faces of said ledges, said spacer means and rail defining a staple ejecting gap,"said spacer means lbeing adapted to receive the kinetic energy of said driver on 'downward displacementthereof and sustain adjacent horizontal `faces ofsaid gap. a predetermined distance apart.

3. In'a stapling machine, the combination of,

a base, an arm 'pivotally associated with saidf base, said arm comprising a frame having spaced sides, complementary members d eiining a vertically ldisposed raceway, one of said members comprising a transversely and horizontally disposed spacer interconnected with said sides, a

vertically disposed plate integrally depending' from said spacer and having a squared and reduced central portion, and spacedforwardly disposed ledges, a composite track interposed between said sides and secured thereto, said track comprising a-core having a reduced squared portion, a channeled .rail ,immovably mounted on said core and having an end portion seated on said reduced portion of said plate, said core having a relatively large pocket disposed at the rear of said plate, a staple supporting trigger loosely pivoted to said core and having a portion thereof disposed in said pocket and a terminal part extending through said plaie and disposed to overhang the latter in said raceway, spring means cooperating with said trigger to normally hold said terminal part elevated in said raceway, the other of said complementary' members comprising a channeled body having sides connected to the sides of said frame and including transversely disposed surface means spaced from the forward face of said plate and constituting the forwar wall of said raceway.

4. In a stapling machine, lthe combination of, complementary members defining a vertically disposed raceway, one of said members comprising spacer means having a depending integral plate including forwardly disposed squared ledges, said plate having a central reduced squared portion spaced from said ledges defining therewith openings to permit fragmentary portions of a staple to fall in back of said plate, the other complementary member comprising a channeled body having transverse surface means disposed against the forward faces of said forwardly disposed ledges.

5. In a stapling machine, the combination of,

complementary block members defining a ver-` tically disposedv raceway, one of said members comprising transverse spacer means and an integrally depending plate having a centrally disposed squared and reduced portion, a track having a rail mounted on said reduced portion, said spacer means having a forwardly disposed lip spaced from the upper surface of said rail to define therewith a staple ejecting gap, ai trigger pivotally sustainedby. said track and having a terminal normally projecting into said raceway, reciprocable driving means, said spacer means cooperating to absorb impacts from said driving `means to prevent displacement of said lip relative to said rail, said trigger having, a loose pivotal connection for displacement thereof longitudinally and rearwardly relative to said track, said driving means having a self alining blade guided in said raceway, said blade coacting to displace the terminal portion of said trigger downwardly and rearwardly as to be free of said raceway, and means cooperating with said trigger to bodily rearwardly displace the latter and simultaneously elevate said terminal por tion preparatory to the retraction of said blade.

6. In a stapling machine, the combination of, a track having an opening, complementary members defining a vertically disposed-.raceway, a

staple supporting trigger having a loose pivotal connection with said track and comprising a portion disposed in said opening anda free terminal, spring means cooperating with said trigger to permit said terminal to overhang said raceway, driving means having a blade guided in said raceway, said blade adapted on the downward displacement thereof to disconnect a staple of a staple strip slidably guided on said track and, move said staple downwardly and onto said terminal, said blade on'further movement thereof in the same direction displacing said terminal in an arcuate path only throughout the`downward movement of said terminal causing rearward displacement of said terminal, said terminal on continued downward displacement of said blade/adapted to slip by andd be free of said blade and be disposed at the rear thereof in yieldable contact therewith, said spring means acting to elevate l,said terminal when free of said blade, said spring means cooperating with said triggerand said terminal' with the depressed blade to' bodily rearwardly displace said trigger relative to said raceway.

'7. The stapling machine according to claim 6 characterized in that one of said complementary members comprisesa horizontal spacer having a; depending plate including means to permit a fragmentary portion of `a staple to fall into said 'opening and shute means to permit a fragmentary portion of a staple to Afall downwardly in said 8. In a stapling machine, the combination of, a base, an arm pivotally associated with said base, driving means reciprocally mounted on said arm, stroke control means associated with said\ driving means comprising an opening, a spring controlled pivoted latch member having terminal -means normally disposed out of said opening,

driving means, said terminal' means constituting intervener means and in the path of travelv of said overhanging means if said driving means'be retracted before a full down stroke of the latter is completed.

9. The stapling machine according to claim 8` in which said stroke control means comprises mechanism for displacing said terminal means out of said opening in response to a complete downward stroke of said driving means.

v10. The combination according to claim 8, in

which said stroke control means comprises an oscillatable member actuated by said driving means to hold said latch member out of said opening.

11. In a stapling machine, the combination of, a frame having ribbed sides, a composite track secured to said sides, said track having a channeled staple strip supporting rail comprising relatively smooth outer side vertical faces and a common relatively smooth horizontal surface substantially perpendicular to saidvertical faces, the latter and said surface constituting clearly defined longitudinally disposed edges, the ribs of said sides having vertical disposed faces coacting to closely but slidably confine portions of the legs of the staples of said strip against vertical faces of said rail.

12. In a stapling machine, the combination of, a

' 10 'bers comprising horizontal spacer means having epin, a Steple Supporting trigger having enl elon- 10 follower against sold staple strip, seid saddle upon members `donnine a vertically Vdisposed raceway,

40 gated opening and supporting means comprising overhanging means slidable relative to said open- 40 trigger relative to said supporting means to disf travel f Said overhenging ineens if said drivingr t Vrandyieldirlgly bear against the latter, said spring the ,latter'is completed- 55 vwai-'diy on retraction of said blade means at 'a abase'aswingable arm Pivotany onnectedthere' 55 ,.60 lng' a1; theforward portlgn thereof, supporting opening andishute means, said driver having a 60 ,65' mg means, means comprising a, vertkgguy digi adapted. 13C-) eject SadlStaple in I'SlStlartOn With 65 om ward displacement thereof causing pivotal dadirect the travel of o -portion or o.' staplewlthln 70' staples of said strip to closely but movably contive to said supporting means during continued fine said legs against the sides of said. rail. downward displacement of said blade with said 13. In a stapling machine, the combination'of, terminal yieldingly in contact with said b1ade, means for closely but displaceably confining a said spring means 'cooperating to bodily displace staple strip in a longitudinally' disposed channel said trigger forwardly and dispose said terminal 5 substantially without tolerance, complementary in said raoeway -at a time when said blade is remembers defining a raceway for closely but dis? tracted and bodily above the elevation of said plaoeablyconi'lning a staple of said strip subterminal. g stantially without tolerance, one of said mem- 17. In a stapling machine. the Combination 0f.

a depending plate, the other of said members gated Opening Cooperating With seid pin, deprescomprising channel-shaped means, and selfsible blade means for actuating said trigger, and alining driving means for ejecting said staple from Spring' means Cooperating With said trigger lto said raceway and constituting meansdlsposed ln normally hold ltile forward portion thereof elepart in the latter to prevent entrance of a suovated vand conccmitantly',bodilyv hold said trig- 15 cessive staple in said raceway in the event said gel' forwardly When Seid forward portion is free driving means has not been fully retracted. of said blade means, Said Spring means cooperat- 14. Ina stapling machine, the combination/of, ing With said triggerand the latter with said en erm having o longitudlnony disposed channel blade means tov bodily rearwardly displace said in which a, staple strip 1S mol/ably guided and B, trigger in a depressed pOSilGOIl 0f Said blade 20 transversely disposed raceway adapted to movmeansy ably guide o staple of sold strip, s follower slld- ,18- The combination according to claim 17 'ably gulded in said manuell said follower havcharacterized in that said pin is transversely dislng arearwardly extending cam, a tlltable Sad- 'posed and constitutesmeans to limitdisplacement dle removably mum-,ed on said cam and sp1-lng of said trigger forwardly or rearwardly. 25

means connected to said'saddle for urging said 19- In a Stepling machine, fcomplementary reciprocatiorl thereof being adapted to strike said one o f said members comprising arearwardly discam and tilt said saddle whereby the rear portion posed hollzontal Spacer having a depending plate. of `the latter coacts to Slip olf said cam to be the other complementary member comprising a 30 free thereof whereby said spring means automatiohonnel-Shaped body having transverse surface cally carries said saddle forwardly without con- Y ,means spaced from the forward'feoe of Said platetacting said Staple strip v` f ,20. In a 'stapling machine, the combination-of, l5. In a stapling machine, the combination of, a base on arm pivoted t0 Said bese, driving means a track having an opening auth@ forward por.. reciprocably carried by said arm, stroke control 35 tion. thereof, supporting means extending trans'- 'meollo Comprising'an opening, e movable inemn versely of said opening,'a trigger comprising av ber disposed 1n Sald Openlng. and a spring 00nvterminal and having an elongated opening loosely t1' oued pivote@ latch member normally disposed surrounding said supporting means, said elonout of Said opening, Seid driving means having a loose connection, compress'ible spring means, mg and 'nornalli'l disposed at the upper portion reclp'roceble blade means for plvotally displacing of Said olyemns upon the complete, retraction.- of said trigger to move said terminal to be free of Said driving means, Sold latch member entersaid blade means on a downward stroke thereof, ing Said-Opening automatlcauy upon initial down' said "trigger having` `a rear portion adapted to Ward @Placement 0f Said drvig means thelaft .45

compress said spring means on downward dister halmg means actua'te sind moVafl-lle memplcement' of Said terminal, said sp1-lng means `ber and displace said latch member out of said upon freeing of said terminal by said blade means 'opening on continued downward displacement automaticallyacting to elevate said terminal and 0f Seid driving means, Said latch meinbero0n v concomitantly bodily rearwardly'displace' said .Slimming intervene? means in the Path 0f the 50 pose'sald'termlnel et the book of sold blsde'meens 'means be retracted before a full down Stroke of.

expanding to bodily said trigger fol- 21.. In?. Stapling machine, Combination 01'.,l

i r is badi above said telto, a. self-retracting reciprocabledriver, complelnlwhep'the 'latte n ly i mentary members dening a vertically disposed 1min a stapnng machine, the combination raceway, one ofsaid members comprising spacer ofratrackhavmgalongitudmany disposed-open. means including a depending plate having' an means extending transversely of said opening, Self-aiming blade sldebly guided insaid racea, trigger comprising a Staple suppoftlngtermlway, means for Ieedingastaple towards said and having an lntermedlaly disposed elon..` raceway and in registration with the latter, said gated openlngloely Sun-mams said support.. blade on the downward stroke of said driver posed raceway, a blade reciprocably guided in the Said ro'eWey from the latter.- Seid Opening helatter, spring `means acting on said trigger -to ing adapted to receive and discharge a portion n'ormallylmld sala terminal elevated upon mm.. of a. staple misalined in said raceway and severed pleteretraction of said blade, said blade on down- -by said blade, said shute means beine adapted to' placement of said trigger to dispose said termisaid-raceway downwardly therein, and stroke connal'clear of-said rac'eway and out of the path of trol means to. permit retraction of said blade said blade. said spring'y means acting on sald but preventing a complete return stroke thereof trigger to elevate said terminal and concomitantto :preclude 'admission of a successive staple of g'ly rearwardly bodily displace said trigger relasaid strip in said racewa-y unless said driver has 75 completed a full down stroke pursuant to the entrance .of a staple in part or in whole in said raceway. v

22. In a stapling machine, the comblnation'of,

5 a track for supporting a staple strip, a follower slidably mounted on said track, a rearwardly a track for slidably supporting a staple strip, a follower slidably mounted on said track and comprising a cam-shaped member, a spring, a saddle tiltable relative to said spring and removably associated with said cam-shaped member, said spring causing said saddle to urge said follower against a rearward portion of said strip, said`sad dle upon extension and release of said spring coacting to ride over said member as to be first 25 free thereof and subsequently hurdle a portion of said strip. y

24. In a stapling machine, the combination of, a track for slidably supporting a staple strip, follower means mounted on said track and acting against a rear end of said strip, an arcuateshaped member carried by said follower means, spring means, a saddle removably mounted on said member, said saddle having a pivotal connection with said spring means, said saddle upon extension and release of said spring means automatically pivoting to disen'gage itself from saidmember, said saddle upon disengagement thereof from said member hurdling a portion of said strip under the influence of said spring means.

25. In a stapling machine, the combination of, a track for supporting a staple strip, follower means mounted on said track and acting against a rear end of said strip, an extension carried by said follower means, spring means, and a saddle 45removably engaging said extension, said saddle having a pivotal connection with said spring means, said saddle upon reciprocation thereof pivoting to disengage said extension and hurdle a portion of said staple strip. 50 26. In a stapling machine, the combination of, a slidable follower having a cam, a tiltable saddle removably engaging said follower, and spring means normally urging said saddle forwardly upwardly 'and forwardly upon impact of said saddle against said cam whereby said saddle disengages from said cam as to be free thereof,

said saddle upon disengagement hurdling forwardly under the influence of said spring means. 60 27. In a stapling machine, the combination of, a track for supporting a staple strip, a follower slidably mounted on said track and having a cam, spring means, and a tiltable saddle having a pivotal connection with said spring means and having a perforated part removably engaging said cam under tension of said spring means, said saddle having a rear portion adapted to rise up wardly and forwardly upon impact of said saddle against said cam to effect disengagement of said perforated part from said cam, said spring means automatically carrying said saddle forwardly without the latter contacting said strip upon disengagement of said part from said cam.

28. In a stapling machine, the combination of, 75 a fulcrum pin, a staple supporting trigger hav- 23.In a stapling machine, the combination of;

said saddle having a rear portion adapted to rise ing a relatively elongated opening loosely surrounding said pin, spring means cooperating with said trigger to elevate the forward portion thereof and concomitantly bodily move said trigger forwardly, driving means having a slidably guided blade, said blade on downward displacement thereof ooacting to downwardly and rearwardly displace the forward portion of said trigger, said blade on further downward displacement freeing said forward portion permitting the latter to be disposed against a rear face of said blade, said spring means upon freeing of said trigger moving the latter rearwardly and concomitantly elevating said forward portion automatically -in back of said blade.

29. In a stapling machine, the combination of, afulcrum pin, a staple supporting trigger loosely and pivotally sustained by said pin, a cocked spring cooperating with said trigger to elevate .the forward portion thereof and concomitantly bodily move saidtrigger forwardly, driving means 'out the downward-movement of said forward portion, said blade on further downward displacement freeing said forward portion permitting the latter to be disposed against a rear face of said' blade, said spring means upon freeing of said forward portion cooperating to displace said trigger bodily rearwardly concomitantly auto-V matically elevating said -forward portion in back of said blade to yieldingly bear against said rear face.

30. 'I'he combination according to, claim 28 further characterized in that said fulcrum pin constitutes means to limit forwardand rearward bodily displacement of said trigger.

31. The combination according to claim 28 inv which said fulcrum pin constitutes means to limit forward and rearward bodily displacement of said trigger, and said forward portion when disposed in back of said blade being elevated prior to the retraction of said blade.

32. In a stapling machine, the combination of,

' a track having a longitudinally disposed opening l ter in the path of travel of said blade, the latter on downward displacement pivoting said trigger about said supporting means and causing said terminal to move downwardly and inwardly to be free of said blade, said spring means cooperating pursuant to the freeing of said terminal by said blade to bodily rearwardly move said trigger relative to said supporting means and concomitantlyelevate said terminal and dispose the latter lat the back of the depressed blade, said spring means cooperating to bodily forwardly displace said trigger during retraction of said blade at a time when the latter is bodily above thev eleva.- tion of said trigger;

33. In a stapling machine, the combination of,

a pin,` a staple .supporting triggenhaving an' elongated opening surrounding said pin, reciprocable blade means for actuating said trigger, means comprising a vertical raceway, helicoidal spring means cooperating with said trigger to normally hold the forward' portion thereof to overhang said raceway, Said trigger on downward displacement thereof compressing lsaid spring means bodily displacing said trigger forwardly when said blade means is above the-elevation of v 15 said elevated forward portion.

34. 'In a stapling, machine, the combination of, a base having an anvil, an arm pivotally connected to said base, self elevatable driving. means r'eciprocably guided in said arm and comprising 20 a housing, stroke control means having an opening, a lug carried by said housing and normally disposed at the upper part of said opening, a spring controlled latch lhaving. a terminal disposed out of saidl opening and abutting said lug,

25 said. terminal entering said Vopening at the beginning of the downward'stroke of said housing and constituting "intervening means to prevent complete retraction of said housing.

35.. In a stapling machine, the combination of, 30 a base, an arm pivotally connected to said base, ,self elevatable driving means reciprocably guided inl said arm and comprising a housing, stroke control means having an opening, a lug carried by said housing and normally disposed at the 35 -uppenpartof said opening, a spring controlled i latch having'a terminal abutting said lug, saidl terminal entering said opening at the beginning"A e of the downward stroke of said housing and constitu'ting intervening means to prevent complete 40 retraction of said housing, and means actuated by said housing after a complete v,downward stroke thereof to removably displace, said intervening "means out of said opening upon the retraction of said housing pursuant to a complete downward ..45 stroke of the latter to permit said lug to'abut an ,upper'face of said opening.

i l, 36. In a stapling machine, the A,combination of,

a base, an arm pivotally connected to said base, self elevatabledriving means reciproably guided 50 in said arm and comprising aihousing, stroke control means having an opening, a lug carried by said -ho'using and normally disposed at the upper ,A .part of said opening,l a spring controlled latch having a terminal abutting said lug, said terminal 55 entering said opening atthe beginning of the:

downward-stroke of said housing and constitut-- .ing intervening means to prevent complete retraction of saidhousing, a rotatable pawl over` a base, an arm pivotally connected to said base, self elevatable' drivingineans reciprocably guided in said arm and comprising a housing, stroke control means having an opening, a lug carried by 70 said housing and normally disposed at' the upper part of said opening,A a spring controlled `latchhaving a terminal abutting said lug, said terminal entering said opening -at the beginning of the downward stroke of said housing and constitut- 75 ing intervening means to preventv complete retraction of said housing, an oscillatable pawl overhanging said opening and comprising spaced fingers, said housingl having abutting means to ac-v tuate said pawl on the downward stroke thereof to permit one of saidfingers to move said intervening means out of said opening and subsequently permit said terminal to be disposed within said opening, said abutting means adapted to actuate said pawl on the upward stroke of said housing to permit another nger of said pawl to displace said l0 terminal out of said opening and allow said lu to abut an upper face of'said opening.

38. In a stapling machine, the combination of, a base, an arm pivoted thereto, Areciprocable driving means slidably carried by said-arm, openings .in said driving means, an oscillatable member having projecting means receivable in said openings, an opening for removably receiving a portion of a spring pressed latch member cooperating with a stop lug carried by said driving means, the

.lug cooperating to limit upward displacement of the driving means, and an opening'in said driving means adapted to receive` a spring, for automatic return of said driving means.

39. In a stapling machine, a\core having forwardly spaced portions having inclined-surfaces to downwardly direct pieces of staples, an oscillatable trigger having a forward part linterposed between said portions, and a rail mounted on said core overhanging a reduced portion of said core and spaced from said trigger.

V40. In a stapling machine, a" track `having spaced forward portions each vhaving an inclined face, the faces defining a gap of decreasing width downwardly, and a trigger pivotally carried by said track and having a forward part disposed in said gap. p f

fil. In a stapling machine, a track comprising a core having spaced 'forward portions each hav.- ing an inwardly disposed inclined face, thefaces 40 defining a gap ofA decreasing width downwardly, v a trigger having a loose pivotal connection with -said core and comprising a forward portion disposed in said gap, and a rail mounted on said core 'and having a forward end overhanging a re` 45 vduced part of said core and disposed above the forward portion of said trigger. l

' 42. In a stapling machine, a track comprising 'a core having an `upper l'reduced portion and spaced. forwardly extending. projections provided with inclined surfaces to form a fragmentary staple `receiving gap of decreasing width downwardly. v-

43. In aV stapling machine, a frame having spaced sides, a-rail forv supporting staples interposed'between said sides and forming therewith a longitudinally disposed channel, andmeans Projecting from said sides and towards 4corre--A spqnding sides of said rail within lower portions .of 4said channel for closely but slidably guiding 60 the sides of said'staples in said channel.-

44. In a stapling machine, 'a frame having spaced sides, a rail for supporting staples xedly interposed between said sides andspaced erefrom, -and a rib projecting from each of said sides and towards a corresponding side of Isaid rail to closely but slidably lguide Vsaid staples.

. 45. Ina stapling machine, a frame -having spaced sides, a xed rail for' supporting staples interposed betweenv said'sides and deining'with 70 `the sides of'said frame ,vertically disposed gaps adapted to receive `spaced legs of said staples,- and a `rib extending from each sidev o f said frame towards a corresponding side'of said vrail to cooperate with the lower portions, of said legs to closely but slidably guide the latter in said gaps. A

46.'In a stapling machine, a frame having spaced sides, a fixed rail, for supporting staples interposed between said sides and defining with the sides of said framespaced vertically disposed gaps adapted to receive spaced depending legs of said staples, and ribs extending from the sides of said frameland projecting into said gaps to cooperate with said legs to closely -but slidably guide the latter in said gaps.

47. In a stapling machine, a rail for supporting a staple strip, a follower mounted on said rail and including an upstanding and inclined abutment, a saddle removably mounted on said follower and including an opening having a rear wall adapted to frictionally engage said abutment, a spring for urging said follower against the rearward part of said strip, a bearing connected .to said spring, and a transversely disposed pin carried by said saddle and rotatably sustained by said bearing whereby upon sudden impact of said saddle against said abutment said bearing and pin permit tilting of said saddle vertical staple guide/faces of said rail for'closely but slidably the sides of said staples in said channel.

49. In a. stapling machine, a core having for-l wardly extending spaced projections having inclined surfaces to downwardly direct pieces of staples, a block having a centrally arranged vertical slot, an oscillatable trigger having a forward part interposed between said projections and a terminal part movably disposed in said slot. and a rail mounted on said core and overhanging a reduced portion thereof and having a forward portion mounted on a reduced part of said block.

50. In a stapling machine, a core having forwardly extending spaced projections having inclined surfaces to downwardly direct pieces of staples, a race block abutting said projections and-having a slot, a trigger, means carried by said core for pivotally and slidably supporting said trigger, spring means to normally hold the front terminal of said trigger at the upper part' of said slot, and a rail mounted on said core and overhanging a reduced portion thereof and having a forward portion mounted on a reduced y part of said block.

51. In a stapling machine, a frame, a core secured to said frame and having forwardly extending spaced projections dening a tapering 'communication with said throat, and a rail mounted on said core and having a forward portion overhanging a reduced part of said core and sustained by said reduced portion of said block.4 4

V52. In a stapling machine, a frame, a core secured to said frame and having forwardly extending spaced projections dening a tapering throat,' a block abutting saidv projections and having a slot in communication with said throat, a trigger, means pivotally and slidably supporting lsaid trigger, spring means cooperating to hold the forward part of said trigger at the upper part of said slot, a channeled member secured to the, sides of said frame and defining and a rail mounted on said core and having 'a' forward portion overhanging a reduced part of said core and sustained by said reduced portion of said block, the openings of said block dening means to permit fragmentary pieces of staples in said raceway to fall in back of said block and into said throat, said block having vspaced shute means to direct fragmentary pieces of said staples downwardly relative to said raceway.

STEPHEN A. CROSBY.

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