US3717924A

US3717924A - Multiple stapling system

Info

Publication number: US3717924A
Application number: US00104969A
Authority: US
Inventors: G Kennedy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-01-08
Filing date: 1971-01-08
Publication date: 1973-02-27
Anticipated expiration: 1990-02-27

Abstract

A method and apparatus for simultaneously inserting a plurality of staples in a work piece wherein a plurality of stapling machines are supported from the work piece in spaced relation above the work piece and moved across the work piece. The stapling machines are lowered intermittently into contact with the work piece and actuated to drive staples in the work piece.

Description

1 51 Feb. 27, 1973 United States Patent 1 1 Kennedy ll 0 1.. l 7 2 2 1 MULTIPLE STAPLING SYSTEM 3,261,527 7/1966 Sterner........ 1 1,509 492 9/1924 Schaubmn...

[76] Inventor: George W. Kennedy, 2564 Grand 1,671'660 5/l928 Vilma at a] PYIX Court, Atlanta, 30329 2,755,470 7/1956 Johnson Primary Examiner-Granville Y. Custer, Jr. Attorney-Jones & Thomas 21 Appl. 190.; 104,969

[52] US. Cl. ....................29/432, 227/101, 227/111,

227/7 .B27f 7/02 ..227/l0l, 107, 110, 111, 152;

plurality of staples in a work piece wherein a plurality of stapling machines are supported from the work piece in spaced relation above the work piece and [58] Field of Search...

[56] References Cited moved across the work piece. The stapling machines are lowered intermittently into contact with the work UNITED STATES PATENTS piece and actuated to drive staples in the work piece.

2,457,984 1/1949 Dougherty............................227/l 11 10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures mmmmzz 1075 3,717, 924 sum 1 BF 2 BY W ATTORNEYS PATENTEDFEBZYW 3,717. 924

SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENTOR GEORGE W. KENNEDY ATTORNEYS MULTIPLE STAPLING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the prefabrication of walls and floors for houses, mobile homes, and other structures, the usual process comprises assembling the studs or floor joists, and applying sheathing, interior paneling or flooring material to the stlids or joists by nailing or stapling. While the construction was originally done by hand, various machines have been developed which automatically insert a plurality of staples or nails through the paneling into the studs, etc.

Two typical procedures have been developed for the automatic stapling of the paneling to the studs. One procedure is to mount a plurality of stapling machines in alignment with each other on a framework, and pass the work piece through the framework. The stapling machines are lowered into contact with the framework, actuated, and withdrawn and the work piece is advanced. The second general procedure is to mount a mobile framework over a work bench, hang the stapling machine from the framework, advance the framework over the work piece, and intermittently lower the stapling machines into contact with the work piece and actuate the stapling machines.

While the prior art stapling machines function to insert a plurality of staples or nails in a work piece, the devices are massive'in size, expensive, and cumbersome. The devices have required either a movable framework to support the stapling devices or means to -move the work piece through the framework. In addi- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly described, the present invention comprises a method and apparatus for stapling a work piece wherein the stapling machines are supported from the surface of the work piece. The weight of the apparatus is utilized to urge the paneling etc. into positive contact with the studs, etc., and the apparatus can function properly to insert staples in virtually any work piece, regardless of its length, width or thickness.

Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for stapling work pieces with a plurality of staples generally without limitation as to the size of the work piece.

Another object of this invention is to provide a stapling apparatus for simultaneously inserting a plurality of staples in a work piece, and wherein the BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now in more detail to the drawing, in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a work piece 10 which ineludes studs 11 extending between a shoe l2 and a plate 13 which forms a framework for paneling 14. Of course, the work piece 10 can comprise flooring material and joists or other structure, which can be prefabricated for subsequent assembly at building sites.

Stapling apparatus 15 includes a framework 16 supported from work piece 10. Framework 16 includes a pair of parallel tubes 18 and 19 which extend substantially across the entire framework and communicate at their ends by connecting tubes 20 and are supported at their ends by end plates 21. Air supply conduit 22 communicates with a connecting tube 20 so that parallel tubes 18 and 19 function as a header for supply of air under pressure. End plates 21 are connected together at their upper ends by their tie rods 24 and 25, and center plate 26 supports the tie rods at the center of framework 16 and holds the tie rods in upwardly inclined spaced relationship from parallel tubes 18 and 19.

Framework 16 is supported from the surface of the work piece 10 by

belt crawler assemblies

28 and 29 which function as support means for the apparatus. As is illustrated in FIG. 2, each belt. crawler assembly includes an L-shaped belt support plate 30 which carries

belt sheaves

31 and 32 at the ends of its horizontal leg 33, driving sheave 34 at the upper-end of vertical leg 34, and idler sheave 36 at the junction of the horizontal and vertical legs. Endless V-belt 38 extends around

sheaves

31,32,34 and 36 in the manner as shown. The lower horizontal flight of V-belt 38 which extends between

belt sheaves

31 and 32 becomes a crawler tread and engages the work piece and supports the belt crawler assembly.

Plate block 39 is rigidly connected to belt support plate 28 at the upper edge of horizontal leg 33, and a pair of stanchions 40 and 41 are rigidly connected to plate block 39 and extend parallel to each other in an upward direction. Clamp block 42 is telescopically received at its ends about stanchions 40 and 41, and it is rigidly connected to the stanchions by set screws 44 through its ends. Connector 45 is rigidly connected to clamp block 42 and extends upwardly therefrom. Linkage 46 includes lower link 47 pivotally connected at its lower end to the lower end of upper link 48. The upper end of upper link 48 is rigidly connected to crank barv 49. Crank bar 49 extends between and beyond lifting blocks 50 and 51, and is rotatable therein. Support strut 52 rests upon lifting blocks 50 and 51 and the pair of parallel tubes 18 and 19 are clamped to support strut 52 by clamp strut 54 and spacer blocks 55 and 56. Lifting blocks 50 and 51 and spacer blocks 5-5 and 56 define aligned vertical openings for the free passage of stanchions 40 and 41. Thus, parallel tubes 18 and 19 and the remaining elements of framework 16 are supported from the

belt crawler assemblies

28 and 29 by means of the elevating assemblies 58 at the ends of the framework which are formed from stanchions 40 and 41 linkage 46, etc. In order to raise or lower the framework with respect to the

belt crawler assemblies

28 and 29 and the work piece 10, it is only necessary to rotate crank bar 49 by means of hand crank lever 59 connected to one end of crank bar 49 or crank link 60 connected to the other end of crank bar 49.

As is illustrated in FIG. 1, crank link 60 of belt crawler assembly 28 is rigidly connected at its lower end to crank bar 49, and pivotally connected at its upper end to cross link 61. The other end of cross link 61 is pivotally connected to elongated crank link 62. Elongated crank link 62 is identical in its lower portion to crank link 60, but also includes an upper extension. The upper end of elongated crank link 62 is pivotally connected to ram rod 64 of ram 65. Ram 65 is anchored to parallel tubes 18 and 19 so that when ram rod 64 is extended or retracted, it functions to move elongated crank link 62, and cross link 61 causes crank link 60 to move through a corresponding arc of movement. Thus, the elevating assemblies 58 at each end of the framework 16 will raise or lower the ends of the framework equal distances.

A plurality of stapling machines 66 are supported by parallel tubes 18 and'19. Each stapling machine 66 includes a head 68, a supply chamber 69 and a body 70. An air conduit 71 is connected to the body and functions to charge the body 70 with pressurized air, thus causing the stapling machine to eject a staple from head 68. Stapling machines 66 are of conventional construction, and their specific internal structure forms no part of this invention.

The upper end of the body portion 70 of each stapling machine 66 is slidably supported by parallel 'tubes 18 and 19 by means of support tube 72 extending in an upward direction from the body portion through slide block 73. Support tube 72 is connected at its upper end to cross block 74, and cross block 74 extends over parallel tube 19 and is connected to counterweight 75. Coil compression spring 76 surrounds support tube 72 between the upper end of body portion 70 of stapling machine 66 and slide block 73. Slide block 73 is positioned between and is clamped to parallel tubes 18 and 19 and slidably receives support tube 72 to allow the stapling machine to move in an upward direction with respect to the framework against the bias of its spring 76 and the weight of tool 66 and itscounterweight 75. Cross block 74 extends across the top of parallel tube 19 and positions counterweight'75 in front of stapling machine 66, and the counterweight hangs down in front of parallel tube 19 and functions to balance the stapling machine 66 so that its center of gravity is at its head 68. When framework 16 is lowered and the head 68 of stapling machine 66 engages and rests upon the work piece, spring 76 allows support tube 72 to ride up in the opening of slide block 73 between parallel tubes 18 and 19, and a portion of the weight of the framework 16 rests upon the stapler 66 and the work piece. The stapling machine is substantially balanced on its head when it engages the work piece in this manner.

As is illustrated in FIG. 1, the driving sheaves of the

belt crawler assemblies

28 and 29 are connected together by driving link 80, and a hand crank 81 is connected to the driving link. Thus, when it is desired to move the stapling apparatus 15 across work piece 10, the operator merely rotates hand crank 81, and driving link 80 causes the driving sheaves 34 to rotate in unison and move endless V-belts 38 about their

belt sheaves

31 and 32, thus causing the

belt crawler assemblies

28 and 29 to carry the stapling apparatus. Of course,-

belt crawler assemblies

28 and 29 are positioned on op posite sides of the center of gravity and stapling apparatus 15 and the placement of

belt sheaves

31 and 32 is such that these sheaves are located in front and behind the center of gravity of the stapling apparatus, and the stapling apparatus is maintained in balance. The spacing of belt sheaves 31 and 32 is sufficient so that there is substantially no hazard of tilting or tipping over the stapling machine in normal operation.

Belt crawler assemblies

28 and 29 are normally positioned inwardly of the ends of framework 16, and one or more of stapling machines 66 can be placed outside the belt crawler assemblies at the ends of the framework or at virtually any location along the framework.

Belt crawler assemblies

28 and 29 can be moved along the lengths of parallel tubes 18 and 19 by merely loosening the screws 53 of clamp strut 54 and sliding the elevating assembly 58 and belt crawler assembly to the desired location on the parallel tube and retightening the screws 53.

Each air conduit 71 extends between the body portion of its stapling machine and parallel tube 18 which is charged with air through conduit 22. A control valve (not shown) is located in the body of each stapling machine and valve control conduit 84 communicates with the control valve of all of the stapling machines at one end of the framework and with pilot valve 85 which is supported on stanchion 40 of elevating assembly 58 of belt crawler assembly 28. With some stapling machines, support tube 72 may be used to communicate between valve control conduit 84 and control valve. Pilot valve 85 is located so that it will be engaged by lifting block 50 which moves with the framework as the framework is lowered toward the work piece 10. Pilot valve 85 is normally positioned at a level on stanchion 40 so that all of the stapling machines 66 will be lowered into engagement with the work piece 10 before pilot valve 85 is engaged by lifting block 50. When the pilot valve is so engaged, it functions to charge valve control conduit and shift the air control valves of each stapler 66, which allows air to flow through air conduits 71 and actuate the stapling machines and drive staples into the work piece.

As is illustrated in FIG. 1, ram is controlled by valve 86 which is mounted at the end of framework 16. Valve lever 88 is connected to control valve 86 and control valve 86 functions to unbalance the air pressure in ram 65 to progressively retract ram rod 64 into the ram cylinder. This causes crank link 60 and 62 to rotate about their respective crank bars 49, thus causing linkages 46 to lower framework 16. The rate at which the framework is lowered is controlled by control valve 86 so the operator can carefully align the stapling machine 66 as the framework is lowered.

'wheels will be raised and lowered in unison.

As is illustrated in FIG. 3, an anchoring mechanism 90 is connected to the L-shaped belt support plate 30 of belt crawler assembly 28 at one end of the framework. Anchoring mechanism 90 includes a support block 91 rigidly attached to the lower edge of sup- 5 port plate 30, plunger 92, lever 93 and compression spring 94. Plunger 92 extends through support block 91 and is movable in a vertical direction when lever 93 is pivoted about its pivot pin 95. Spring 94 urges lever 93 and plunger 92 in an upward direction. Plunger pad 96 is connected to the lower end of plunger 92, so that when lever 93 is pivoted in a downward arc, plunger pad 96 will protrude below crawler assembly 28 to engage the work piece. This causes crawler assembly 28 to be elevated away from the work piece, with the anchoring mechanism supporting one end of the framework.

When lever 93 of anchoring mechanism 90 is depressed so that its plunger 92 lifts crawler assembly 28 away from the work piece, the end of the framework will be anchored to the work piece while the opposite end of the framework supported by crawler assembly 29 will be free to move on the surface of the work piece. Thus, when the operator rotates hand crank 81 and the endless Vbelts 38 are moved in the manner previously described, anchoring mechanism 90 will hold one end of the framework in its position on the work piece while the crawler assembly 29 moves the other end of the framework along the surface of the work piece. This causes the framework to move in an are about anchoring mechanism 90. Thus, the position of the framework can be adjusted with respect to the work piece to align the stapling machines with the studs of the wall assembly, with seams or grooves in the wall board, or with other elements of the work piece.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, wheel elevating assemblies 100 and 101 are positioned on opposite sides of the center of gravity of stapling apparatus 15 and are connected to parallel tubes 18 and 19 of the framework. The wheel elevating assemblies each include a clamp assembly 102 at its upper end, linkage 104 connected to and extending downward from the clamp assembly, a clamp block 105 connected to linkage 104,

stanchions

106 and 107, and wheel support block 108. The wheel elevating assemblies 100 and 101 are generally similar to the elevating assemblies for the belt crawlers at the ends of the framework. Hand crank 110 is connected to crank bar 111 and is utilized to operate linkage 104. Cross link 112 is connected between the wheel elevating assemblies so that the entire stapling apparatus can be moved laterally with respect to the work piece.

OPERATION The stapling apparatus 15 normally will be utilized to staple wall board, floor covering, etc. to a framework of studs, shoes and plates, or of joists, etc. The framework is placed on a horizontal surface, and the covering to be attached to the framework is laid over the framework. The stapling apparatus 15 is then moved onto the wall covering. If desired, a small platform (not shown) can be located adjacent the work piece so that the stapling apparatus 15 can be placed on the platform and rolled directly onto the work piece when it is desired to staple the covering to the framework and can be rolled off the work piece onto the platform so that the finished work piece can be removed and a new work piece can be placed adjacent the platform.

The end stapling machines 66 at opposite ends of the stapling apparatus normally will be spaced apart from each other a distance equal to the spacing of shoe 12 from plate 13. The

belt crawler assemblies

28 and 29 can be located just inwardly of the outer stapling machines 66, and the remaining stapling machines 66 will be spaced along parallel tubes 18 and 19 at equal distances from one another. The operator rotates crank 81 of driving link to cause the driving sheaves 34 of the

belt crawler assemblies

28 and 29 to move the belts about their belt sheaves. This causes the lower flight of the endless Vbelts 38 to function as a support 'or crawler and crawl across the work piece. Since the driving link 81 will cause both driving sheaves 34 to operate in unison,

belt crawler assemblies

28 and 29 will function to move both ends of the framework 16 equal distances on the work piece. The operator will be careful to assure that the stapling machines 66 are aligned with the studs 11. If the stapling machines are not properly aligned on the work piece the operator depresses lever 93 of anchoring mechanism to lift belt crawler assembly 28 away from the work piece and anchor one end of the framework to the work piece. The operator then rotates crank 81 to cause the other belt crawler assembly to walk in an are about the anchoring mechanism until the stapling machines are properly aligned.

When the operator has caused the heads 68 of the stapling machines 66 to be positioned over a stud 11, he depresses lever 88 which causes control valve 86 to bleed ram 65, thus causing ram :rod 64 to pivot crank links 60 and 62 and their crank bars 49. The linkage 46 of the crank bars 49 will allow the framework 16 to move in a downward direction toward work piece 10. As the framework moves in a downward direction, the heads 68 of each stapling machine 66 will make contact with the work piece. This causes the weight of the stapling machines to be supported by the work piece at spaced intervals across the work piece at the stud 11, which causes the paneling which is to be attached to the studs to positively engage the studs. The counterweight 75 of each stapling machine causes each stapling machine to be substantially balanced on the work piece. In addition, as the framework 16 is further lowered toward the work piece 10, the coil compres- As the framework 16 is further lowered by ram 65, lifting block 50 of belt crawler assembly 28 engages pilot valve 85, which causes the control valves (not shown) of each stapling machine 66 to admit air from parallel tube 18 to each stapling machine 66, and actuate each stapling machine.

The operator will then release lever 88, which allows ram 65 to refill with pressurized air and extend its ram rod 64, thus causing the elevating assemblies 58 to lift framework 16 away from the work piece. The operator will then operate hand crank 81 to advance

belt crawler assemblies

28 and 29 and move the stapling apparatus l to'a new location on the work piece.

When it is desirable to shift the stapling apparatus laterally of the length of the work piece the operator rotates hand crank 110 of wheel elevating assemblies 100 and 101 to lower wheels 114 and lift the

crawler assemblies

28 and 29 out of engagement with the work piece, whereupon the wheels 114 allow the lateral movement of the stapling apparatus.

Since the end stapling machines 66 are spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing of shoe l2 and plate-l3 of the framework of the work piece, these stapling machines will function to tack the lower edges of the paneling 14 to the shoe 12 and plate 13. Since the

belt crawler assemblies

28 and 29 and all of the stapling machines 66 can be moved along the supporting framework 16 of the stapling apparatus, the stapling apparatus can be utilized to staple work pieces of various different sizes.

It should be noted that the

belt crawler assemblies

28 and 29 function to spread the weight of the stapling apparatus 15 across a relatively wide area through V-belts 38, so that any hazard of damaging the appearance of paneling 14 on the work piece is reduced. Moreover,

, the nature of a belt crawler is such that it will normally move in a rectilinear path, rarely deviating from its set direction. This feature is desirable in connection with the present structure since once the stapling machines. 66 have been properly aligned with a stud 11, it will be unnecessary to realign the stapling apparatus as the stapling apparatus is advanced across the work piece.

The counterweight 75 of each stapling machine 66 is arranged so that the counter force of the staple being driven into the work piece causes each stapling machine 66 to be lifted generally in an upward direction from the work piece as opposed to being tilted away from the work piece. This causes the staple to be driven directly into the work piece substantially without hazard of having a staple driven in at an angle in a work piece or ricocheting away from the work piece. Virtually no tilting forces are transferred to the framework 16, and the framework generally does not rock or tilt during operation of the stapling machines. Thus, stanchions 40 and 41 of the elevating assembly 58 of each belt crawler assembly supports primarily only vertical forces or weight as opposed to lateral forces or tilting forces.

If desired, the framework 16 can be raised or lowered with the use of hand crank lever 59 which is connected to crank bar 49-of elevating assembly 58. Of course, hand crank lever 59 can be detached from crank bar 49, if desired, so that it will not be in the way when the device is actuated through the manipulation of valve lever 88.

The staples which are driven into the work piece by stapling machines 66 can be U-shaped, J-shaped, straight, or of virtually any other shape compatible with both the work piece and stapling machine. It should be understood that the terms staple and stapling machine are used in a broad sense and include various nails, brads, and other connecting elements and nailing machines, brading machines, and other connecting machines.

While this invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described hereinbefore and as defined in the appended claims.

lclaim:

1. Apparatus for stapling a work piece comprising an elongated framework, a belt crawler positioned inwardly from each end of said framework for traveling on the work piece, means connected between said framework and said belt crawlers for raising and lowering said framework with respect to said belt crawlers and the work piece, a plurality of stapling devices supported on said framework and arranged to engage the work piece when the framework is lowered, and control means for actuating the stapling devices when the stapling devices are in engagement with the work piece.

2. Apparatus for inserting a plurality of staples in a work piece or the like disposed in an approximate horizontal plane, said apparatus comprising a framework, support means connected to said framework for supporting said framework on the work piece, a plurality of stapling devices mounted on said framework and normally maintained out of contact with the work piece, said support means comprising a support assembly positioned inwardly of the ends of said framework, and at least one of said stapling devices being mounted on each end of said framework outwardly of said support means, means for lowering said framework toward the work piece to move said stapling devices into contact with the work piece, an actuating means for actuating said stapling devices when said stapling devices are in contact with the work piece.

3. Apparatus for inserting a plurality of staples in a work piece or the like disposed in an approximate horizontal plane, said apparatus comprising a framework, a pair of belt-crawlers spaced apart from each other and mounted on opposite sides of the center of gravity of said framework for supporting said framework on the work piece, a plurality of stapling devices mounted on said framework and normally maintained out of contact with the work piece, means for lowering said frameworktoward the work piece to move said stapling devices into contact with the work piece, and actuating means for actuating said stapling devices when said stapling devices are in contact with the work piece.

4. Apparatus for inserting a plurality of staples in a work piece or the like comprising an elongated framework, support means mounted on said framework for supporting said framework on the work piece, a plurality of stapling devices mounted on said framework and normally maintained out of contact with the work piece, each of said stapling devices being mounted below and generally on one side of said framework and including a counter weight connected thereto and positioned on the other side of said framework, means for lowering said framework toward the work piece to move said stapling devices into contact with the work piece, and actuating means for actuating said stapling devices when said stapling devices are in contact with the work piece.

5. Apparatus for inserting a plurality of staples in a work piece or the like comprising an elongated framework, support means mounted on said framework adjacent the ends of said framework for supporting said framework on the work piece, a plurality of stapling devices mounted on said framework and normally maintained out of contact with the work piece, spring means for urging each of said stapling devices in a downward direction, means for lowering said framework toward the work piece to move said stapling devices into contact with the work piece, and actuating means for simultaneously actuating all of said stapling devices when-said stapling devices are in contact with the work piece.

6. Apparatus for inserting a plurality of staples in a work piece or the like comprising an elongated framework, a pair of spaced-apart belt-crawler assemblies mounted on said framework adjacent the ends of said framework for supporting said framework from the work piece, a plurality of stapling devices mounted on said framework and normally maintained out of contact with the work piece, means for lowering said framework toward the work piece to move said stapling devices into contact with the work piece, actuating means for actuating said stapling devices when said stapling devices are in contact with the work piece, and means for advancing said belt-crawler assemblies simultaneously.

7. A method of inserting staples in a work piece comprising supporting an elongated framework carrying a plurality of stapling devices in a line above the work piece from the surface of the work piece, moving one end of the framework through a horizontal arc above the work piece while maintaining the other end of the framework in an approximately fixed position above the work piece to change the attitude of the framework with respect to the work piece, simultaneously moving both ends of the framework across the surface of the work piece without changing the attitude of the framework with respect to the work piece while supporting the framework from the surface of the work piece, intermittently lowering the stapling devices into contact with the work piece and actuating the stapling devices.

8. Apparatus for inserting a plurality of staples in a generally flat work piece or the like disposed in an approximate horizontal plane, said apparatus comprising a framework, a plurality of stapling machines mounted on said framework, support means connected to said framework for supporting said stapling machines on the work piece, said support means comprising means for lowering said framework toward the work piece until the stapling machines engage the work piece, actuating means responsive to the downward movement of said framework for actuating said stapling machines, and balancing means connected to each of said stapling machines for balancing each stapling machine on the work iece.

9. pparatus for inserting a plurality of staples in a generally flat work piece disposed in an approximately horizontal plane comprising a framework, a plurality of stapling machines supported by said framework above the work piece, and support means mounted on said framework for supporting said framework on said work piece and arranged to move said framework in a rectilinear direction across said work piece, said support means including means for anchoring one end of said framework to said work piece while permitting the other end of said framework to move across said workpiece and change the direction of movement between said framework and the work piece.

10. Apparatus for'inserting a plurality of staples in a generally flat work piece disposed in an approximately horizontal plane, said apparatus comprising. a framework, a plurality of stapling machines supported by said framework above the work piece, and support means for moving said framework across said work piece, said support means including means for moving said framework in a first rectilinear direction across said work piece or in an arc with respect to a point on the surface of the work piece, and means for moving said framework in a second rectilinear direction disposed with respect to said first rectilinear direction.

Claims

3. Apparatus for inserting a plurality of staples in a work piece or the like disposed in an approximate horizontal plane, said apparatus comprising a framework, a pair of belt-crawlers spaced apart from each other and mounted on opposite sides of the center of gravity of said framework for supporting said framework on the work piece, a plurality of stapling devices mounted on said framework and normally maintained out of contact with the work piece, means for lowering said framework toward the work piece to move said stapling devices into contact with the work piece, and actuating means for actuating said stapling devices when said stapling devices are in contact with the work piece.

5. Apparatus for inserting a plurality of staples in a work piece or the like comprising an elongated framework, support means mounted on said framework adjacent the ends of said framework for supporting said framework on the work piece, a plurality of stapling devices mounted on said framework and normally maintained out of contact with the work piece, spring means for urging eacH of said stapling devices in a downward direction, means for lowering said framework toward the work piece to move said stapling devices into contact with the work piece, and actuating means for simultaneously actuating all of said stapling devices when said stapling devices are in contact with the work piece.

8. Apparatus for inserting a plurality of staples in a generally flat work piece or the like disposed in an approximate horizontal plane, said apparatus comprising a framework, a plurality of stapling machines mounted on said framework, support means connected to said framework for supporting said stapling machines on the work piece, said support means comprising means for lowering said framework toward the work piece until the stapling machines engage the work piece, actuating means responsive to the downward movement of said framework for actuating said stapling machines, and balancing means connected to each of said stapling machines for balancing each stapling machine on the work piece.

9. Apparatus for inserting a plurality of staples in a generally flat work piece disposed in an approximately horizontal plane comprising a framework, a plurality of stapling machines supported by said framework above the work piece, and support means mounted on said framework for supporting said framework on said work piece and arranged to move said framework in a rectilinear direction across said work piece, said support means including means for anchoring one end of said framework to said work piece while permitting the other end of said framework to move across said workpiece and change the direction of movement between said framework and the work piece.

10. Apparatus for inserting a plurality of staples in a generally flat work piece disposed in an approximately horizontal plane, said apparatus comprising a framework, a plurality of stapling machines supported by said framework above the work piece, and support means for moving said framework across said work piece, said support means including means for moving said framework in a first rectilinear direction across said work piece or in an arc with respect to a point on the surface of the work piece, and means for moving said framework in a second rectilinear direction disposed 90* with respect to said first rectilinear direction.