Fastening device

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a fastening device such as, for example, a forward acting stapler, is provided that includes a manually operable latch in order to store the built up potential energy that results from depressing the handle of the fastening device. Upon actuation of the latch, the plunger within the fastening device is released, thereby converting the stored energy of an internal compression spring into kinetic energy and ejecting a fastener (such as, for example, staples, nails or other types of fasteners) from the staple chamber to fasten an object.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of fastening tools of the type employed to drive fasteners (such as, for example, staples, nails or other types of fasteners) into various work surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fastening tools, such as, for example, manually operated staple guns, allow an operator of the device to use a single hand in order to operate a handle or the like. Movement of the handle causes the compression of a spring in the tool. When the energy in the spring is released, a fastener is expelled from the fastening device. The operation of the handle to compress the spring and the subsequent release of the energy built up in the spring typically results from one motion of the handle. One type of fastening tool is a forward acting stapler, which is commonly known in the art, and has a handle which is pivoted at one end, the rear end, of the fastening device body. Another type of fastening tool is a rearward acting stapler, also commonly known in the art.

One example of a commonly known rearward acting stapler is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,671,215 issued to Abrams, which discloses a staple gun manufactured by Arrow. A handle is pivoted at or near the front of the staple gun. Pressing down on the handle behind the pivot at the free end of the handle compresses a coil spring within the tool. The motion of the handle rotates a pivotally attached lever arm, which in turn raises a plunger assembly including a plunger. At a pre-determined point of travel of the handle, the lever arm arcs sufficiently such that it releases the plunger assembly. The plunger is driven downwards by the force provided by the decompression of the coil spring.

With the advent of forward acting staplers, such as one disclosed is U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,949 issued to Marks, the handle is attached and pivoted at the rear of the stapler. In this configuration, it may be easier for the user to apply a load to the handle, because the load applied to the handle is more in line with the plunger. This may result in a more efficient transfer of energy through to the staple, and therefore, an improved fastening mechanism. However, the input load required to depress the handle is identical to, or substantially the same as, rearward acting staplers and is therefore still substantial.

There are certain drawbacks to conventional forward and rearward acting staplers. For example, the act of depressing the handle (and thus “loading” the device) and the act of ejection of a fastener occur as one event that happens virtually simultaneously. Oftentimes it may be difficult to apply sufficient force to the handle if one is outstretched or in some other awkward stance, or if one is trying to fasten onto a backing that is not rigidly supported. Thus, it may be desirable to have a fastening device wherein the handle can be depressed (thus putting the device in a “loaded” state) in one event, and ejection of the fastener can be occur as a separate event.

Electronic staple devices do not require manual generation of energy stored in a compression spring. Electronic staple devices, however, suffer the disadvantage of, among other things, requiring a power source and the commensurate weight penalty which comes with the ancillary mechanisms required for proper and safe operation.

Forward acting manual staple guns are well known in the art. These conventional staple guns, however, do not allow a user to store the energy within the staple gun in one step and then release the stored energy in an independent step. The provision of a mechanism for independently releasing the stored energy may be advantageous to a user of a staple gun in many instances. For example, if the user of a staple gun is required to apply a fastening device or staple above the user's head or just out of the user's reach, the user would not be able to use traditional manual staple guns to apply the fastening device with much success. This is because conventional staple guns eject the staple virtually simultaneously with the application of a considerable force applied by the user to the operating handle, i.e., squeezing the handle.

It would be therefore advantageous to develop an improved fastening device that overcomes the disadvantages described above. In particular, it may be advantageous to provide an improved fastening device wherein depressing the handle of a device to generate energy within the fastening device is one event, and the actual ejection of the fastener (e.g., staples, nails or other types of fasteners) from the fastening device is a separate, distinct event.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Fastening devices in accordance with the present invention allow a user to squeeze the handle to generate energy within the device and maintain that energy within the device as potential energy. When desired, the user can actuate a manually operable latch, which allows the potential energy stored within the device to be converted to kinetic energy in order to allow the ejection of a fastener. This allows users to more easily use a fastening device such as a manually operable staple gun for applications that were previously difficult. There are several known methods in which to generate potential energy for use in fastening devices.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an improved fastening device is provided. The fastening device in accordance with the present invention includes a manually operable latch, which allows the user to store energy resulting from the compression of a compression spring in the fastening device until actuation of the manually operable latch. Upon actuation of the latch, a plunger of the fastening device moves in the direction of decompression of the compression spring and causes a fastener (such as, for example, staples, nails or other types of fasteners) to be ejected from the fastening device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a fastening device, such as a forward acting stapler, is provided that includes a manually operable latch. The latch functions to retain potential energy stored in a compression spring of the fastening device created by operation of a manually operated handle. Upon actuation of the latch, the plunger within the fastening device is released, thereby converting the potential energy stored in the compression spring into kinetic energy and displacing a fastener (such as, for example, staples, nails or other types of fasteners) from the staple cartridge or magazine and forcefully dispelling the fastener from the device.

A fastening device100is shown inFIG. 1. In the embodiment shown, the fastening device100is a manually operable staple gun and in particular, a forward acting manually operable staple gun. The fastening device100includes a handle assembly104that includes a manually operable handle portion102, which is shown inFIG. 1in a released position. The handle assembly104includes a roller106. A lever arm108is provided that includes a first end109, a second end111and a body portion113. The first end109of the lever108includes a slider member112that has an engagement end115and a second end117. The slider member112slides back and forth relative to the body portion113of the lever108. A plunger114is provided. The movement of the plunger114causes fasteners such as, for example, staples, nails or other types of fasteners to be ejected from the fastening device100. A spring housing116is provided that at least partially houses a compressions spring121. The spring housing116may be integral with, or separately attached, to the plunger114.

The spring housing116may preferable include a notch or recess126adapted to receive at least a portion of the engagement end115of the slider member112. The slider member112is biased in a direction towards the notch or recess126by an extension spring110(not shown), which causes the engagement end115of the slider member112to remain in the notch or recess126and engage the spring housing116. In operation, a user may depress the manually operable handle portion102downwardly, which in turn causes the handle assembly104(and roller106) to move, which in turn causes the lever108(and thus the slider member112) to pivot upwardly about axis119. This pivoting action causes the engagement end115of the slider member112to move upwardly, thereby causing the spring housing116and the plunger114to also move upwardly. At the same time, the compression spring121is compressed. The compression spring121is mounted between spring restraint129and the spring housing116, and potential energy is generated within the compression spring121as a result of the spring housing116and hence the plunger114being moved upwardly.

The spring housing116is moved upwardly to cause compression of the compression spring121in order to generate enough potential energy such that when the plunger114is released (as described below), the compression spring121will push the spring housing116and plunger114assembly downwardly in the direction of the decompression of the compression spring121in order to eject the fastener out of staple chamber122and affix the fastener to the desired surface. The decompression of the compression spring122occurs once the slider member112becomes disengaged with the spring housing116, which occurs once the lever arm108forces the engagement end115end of the slider member112out of the notch or recess126, thereby releasing the spring housing116and plunger114in the direction of decompression of the compression spring121.

The fastening device100may preferably include a latch118that is manually operable. The latch118is positioned near the front/top of the housing at101. In this embodiment the latch118serves three primary functions. Firstly, the latch118catches and retains the plunger114in a raised position. Secondly, since the plunger114is assembled to the spring housing116, the latch118effectively holds the spring housing116in a raised state which in turns keeps the compression spring121in a compressed state maintaining its potential energy. In this manner, the latch118serves to maintain the potential energy within the system. Thirdly, the latch118releases the plunger114when desired by the user when a force is applied in the direction indicated by141. Upon release of the plunger114, the stored energy in the compression spring121is released causing the plunger114to move downwardly along direction “A” in order to eject a fastener from the staple chamber122. In operation, once the slider member112pivots upwardly to the point where the slider member112disengages from the notch or recess126, the latch118preferably engages the plunger114with the compression spring121in a compressed state and thereby retaining the potential energy generated by the compression of the compression spring121. The latch118can then be disengaged from the plunger114in order to allow decompression of the compression spring121, which moves the spring housing116and the plunger114downwardly in the direction of decompression of the compression spring121in order to eject the fastener from the staple chamber122.

It is contemplated that fastening devices in accordance with the present invention will thereby allow a user to generate potential energy to be used to drive a plunger114and to be able to store this energy and not instantly release the plunger114. When desired the user can actuate the mechanism of the present invention to release the retained plunger114thereby causing a fastener to be ejected from the staple chamber122. In one embodiment of this invention, the user compresses a compression spring121without instantly releasing the plunger114thereby causing a fastener to be ejected from the staple chamber122.

It is further contemplated that the latch118may, in certain instances, not be utilized such that the latch118does not engage the plunger114in operation. This can be achieved, for example, by deactivating the latch118prior to depressing the manually operable handle portion102and in turn prior to any upward motion of the plunger114or compression of the compression spring121. A latch lock120may be provided. The latch118can be deactivated when the latch lock120is pushed forward and engaged in notch130, which will hold the latch118in a rotated, or open position. In this position, the latch118cannot “catch” the plunger114, so that the fastening device100works like any traditional forward acting staple gun. It is also contemplated that the latch lock120in accordance with the present invention may also prevent accidental actuation of the latch118. It is contemplated that those skilled in the art could employ several different methodologies to effectively hold the latch118in an open state.

FIG. 2shows the fastening device100ofFIG. 1with manually operable handle portion102depressed downwardly in a depressed position. As explained herein, depressing the handle portion102causes the handle assembly104to rotate, and with it the handle assembly roller106which acts on lever108, causing lever108to move the slider member112upwardly. The slider112acts on the spring housing116raising it upwardly which in turn forces the compression of the compression spring121generating potential energy within the fastening device100. Indeed, as shown inFIG. 2, the slider member112is about to disengage from the spring housing116. In conventional forward acting fastening devices, this would cause the plunger114to instantly move in the direction of decompression of the compression spring121and eject a fastener (such as, for example, staples, nails or other types of fasteners) from the staple chamber122. However, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the latch118will engage the plunger114just before the slider member112becomes disengaged with the notch or recess126formed in the spring housing116. At the same time, the manually operable hand portion102can become engaged with the fastener device100body, thereby allowing a user access to the latch118. Once the latch118has been actuated by the user, the plunger114will disengage from latch catch128and will move in the direction of decompression of the compression spring121and eject a fastener (such as, for example, staples, nails or other types of fasteners) from the staple chamber122.

FIGS. 3A and 3Bare perspectives view of the fastening device100shown with the outer cover removed. Shown inFIG. 3A, the upward movement of slider member112caused by the compression of the manually operable handle portion102, causes compression of the compression spring121(seeFIGS. 1 and 2) and results in the upwardly motion of the plunger114in the direction of compression of the compression spring121as previously described. The upward movement of the plunger114continues until the slider member112is no longer engaged with the spring housing116via the notch or recess126. At this point, the plunger114has moved enough distance to have become slidably engaged to the latch118via the latch catch128, which acts to “catch” and retain the plunger114at notch132formed in the plunger114. Once the latch118is actuated by the user, the latch118rotates internally, thereby allowing the notch132in the plunger114to disengage from the latch catch128. This allows the plunger114to move in the direction of decompression of the compression spring121(FIGS. 1 and 2) and eject a fastener from the staple chamber122.

It is contemplated that fastening devices in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may optionally include a wire guide142. The wire guide142is optionally included to ensure that, when actuating the latch118, the device that is desired to be fastened is inline with where a fastener will be ejected from the fastening device100.FIG. 3Bshows the fastening device100without the wire guide142shown inFIG. 3Aremoved.

FIG. 4is another perspective view of the fastening device100shown with the cover installed, and the latch118can be seen. In operation, the user depresses the manually operable portion102of the fastening device100, which creates stored energy within the fastening device100. As long as the latch118is operable, then only upon actuation of the latch118is a fastener ejected from the fastening device100. The latch118can also be locked out, either before the handle portion102is depressed or after the handle portion102is depressed by actuating the latch118and sliding the latch lock120so that it engages the latch118and holds it in an open state. It is contemplated that various configurations and methodologies may be employed for the latch lock120mechanism.

It is contemplated that the fastening device100ofFIG. 4may alternatively include a handle portion102that extends over and covers the latch118. A button may preferably be placed on the outside of the handle portion102, which upon pressing, will compress a spring within the handle portion102and be able to exit through a hole in the bottom of the handle portion102and be able to contact and impart a load on the latch118so that it can actuate the latch118.

FIGS. 5A-5Cillustrate yet another embodiment for a fastening device500in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the user depresses the handle portion502, which rotates the handle assembly504about a pivot point and causes the rotation of the lever508through the its contact with the handle assembly roller506. Latch arms510are affixed to the lever508, and rotate about the axis of the lever as the lever508moves. The end of the lever508which is opposite the roller506engages and rests within the notch or recess526in the spring housing516. As the lever508is acted upon by the roller506, the lever508lifts the assembly of the spring housing516and the plunger514thereby causing the compression of spring521which generates potential energy within the device500. As the lever508rotates, so to do the latch arms510. The latch arms510rotate and simultaneously act on the latch pin528which is affixed to the release actuator518. The force exerted by the latch arms510on the latch pin528causes the release actuator518to rotate counter-clockwise about pivot axis540. After sufficient rotation, the latch arms510lose contact with the latch pin528and the release actuator518rotates in its biased clockwise direction. The release actuator518is biased in a clockwise direction via a spring which is not shown. At a point in time near the full compression of the manually operable handle portion502, the roller506arcs sufficiently to lose contact with the lever508. The opposite end of the lever508is still engaged with the notch or recess526. The compression spring521begins to decompress and imparts a downwardly directed load on the spring housing516. Because of the engagement between the spring housing516and the lever508, the downwardly movement of the spring housing516causes the counter-clockwise rotation of the lever508and in turn the latch arms510. As illustrated inFIG. 5B, the latch arms510engage and catch on the latch pin528. This engagement halts the motion of the latch arms510and in turn the lever508. Since the end of the lever508is still engaged in the notch or recess526, the downward motion of the spring housing assembly, comprised of the spring housing516and plunger514, is also halted. This allows for the fastening device500to maintain the potential energy stored within the compression spring until its release is desired by the user. When the user imparts a load541on the end of the release actuator518opposite the latch pin528, the release actuator518pivots about pivot axis540and disengages from the latch arms510as shown inFIG. 5Cand allows for the continued movement of the spring housing516assembly as the latch arms510and in turn the lever508, are no longer restrained. The plunger514will strike and expel a fastener from the device. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the many ways available to facilitate a means for the user to impart a load on the actuator528.

FIGS. 6A-6Billustrate still another embodiment of a fastening device600in accordance with the present invention. InFIG. 6A, a release actuator button690is located within the manually operable handle portion602of the fastening device600. Depressing the manually operable handle portion602will cause the plunger614and spring housing616to move in an upwardly direction compressing the compression spring621as described in previous embodiments. By default, the extended tabs650of the spring housing616move through the latch pin698and then “catch” on the release actuator assembly618. To do this, the release actuator assembly618pivots on the internal latch pivot696. Thus, even with the slider612disengaging from the spring housing616upon full stroke of the handle602, the compression spring will stay compressed as the housing616, and in turn the plunger614, are retained in an upwardly position by the release actuator assembly618and therefore the plunger614is not allowed to move and eject a fastener from the staple chamber. Pressing of the release actuator button690will cause the release actuator assembly618to move at the point of the roller692. This causes the release actuator assembly618to pivot and disengage from the spring housing616and allows the compression spring to decompress, thereby moving the spring housing616and plunger614in the direction of decompression in order to eject a fastening device from the staple chamber.

FIG. 6Bshows a fastening device600with the handle602in a depressed (or compressed) state. As can be seen, the release actuator button690will engage the release actuator assembly618by contacting the roller692.

FIGS. 7A-7Billustrate yet another embodiment of a fastening device700in accordance with the present invention. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 7A, the fastening device700operates similarly to fastening device100shown inFIG. 1. One difference in this embodiment is that as the plunger714and spring housing716assembly is raised, which increases the potential energy of the compression spring721, the plunger714in turn pushes on a sliding latch component728which moves laterally towards the rear of the fastening device700. The sliding latch component728is biased by a spring (not shown) towards the front of the fastening device. As in the case of the embodiment of a fastening device inFIG. 3, the movement of the plunger714continues until the slider712is no longer engaged with the notch or recess726. At this point, the plunger714has moved enough distance to have become slidably engaged to the sliding latch component728which acts to “catch” the plunger at the plunger notch732(best viewed inFIG. 7B). Once the release actuator790is actuated, the release actuator rotates about a pivot796, and the opposite end of the release actuator790acts against a roller792which is affixed to the sliding latch component728, and causes the sliding latch component728to move against its bias and slide laterally towards the rear of the staple gun700. The sliding latch component728becomes disengaged from the plunger714and as a result, the plunger714moves in the direction of decompression of the compression spring721and ejects a fastener from the staple chamber722.

FIGS. 8A-8Jshow an alternative embodiment of a fastening device900in accordance with the present invention. Referring toFIG. 8A, the fastening device900includes a handle assembly904that include a manually operable handle portion902.FIGS. 8A and 8Bshow the handle portion is a released position. The handle assembly904includes a roller906(better illustrated inFIG. 8B). A lever arm908is provided that includes a first end911, a second end909and a body portion913. The first end911of the lever arm908is biased upwardly in a counter clock-wise direction against the handle assembly904(and in particular against the roller906) by torsion spring901.

The second end909of the lever arm908includes a slider member912that has an engagement end915and a second end917. The slider member912slides back and forth relative to the body portion913of the lever arm908.

As shown inFIG. 8B, a plunger914is provided. As is common in many fastening devices known through prior art, the movement of the plunger914causes fasteners such as, for example, staples, nails or other types of fasteners to be ejected from the fastening device900. A spring housing916is provided that at least partially houses a compression spring921. The spring housing916may be integral with, or separately attached, to the plunger914.

The spring housing916may preferable include a notch or recess926adapted to receive at least a portion of the engagement end915of the slider member912. The slider member912is biased in a direction towards the notch or recess926by an extension spring910, which causes the engagement end915of the slider member912to remain in the notch or recess926and engage the spring housing916. In operation, a user may depress the manually operable handle portion902downwardly, which in turn causes the handle assembly904(and roller906) to move, which in turn causes the lever arm908(and thus the slider member912) to pivot in a clockwise direction about axis919. This pivoting action causes the engagement end915of the slider member912to move upwardly, thereby causing the plunger914to also move upwardly. At the same time, the compression spring921is compressed. The compression spring921is mounted between spring restraint929and the spring housing916, and stores energy that is generated within the compression spring921as a result of the spring housing916and hence the plunger914being moved upwardly.

The spring housing916is moved upwardly to cause compression of the compression spring921in order to generate enough potential energy such that when the plunger914is released (as described below), the compression spring921will push the spring housing916and plunger914assembly downwardly in the direction of the decompression of the compression spring921in order to eject the fastener out of staple chamber922and affix the fastener to the desired surface. The decompression of the compression spring921occurs once the slider member912becomes disengaged with the spring housing916, which occurs once the lever arm908forces the engagement end915of the slider member912out of the notch or recess926, thereby releasing the spring housing916and plunger914in the direction of decompression of the compression spring921.

The fastening device900may preferably include a latch918that is manually operable. The latch918serves the functions of (1) retaining the plunger914in a raised position while the compression spring921is in a compressed state thereby maintaining the potential energy within the device900and (2) releasing the plunger914. In operation, once the slider member912pivots upwardly to the point where the slider member912disengages from the notch or recess926, the latch918preferably engages the plunger914with the compression spring921in a compressed state thereby retaining the potential energy generated by the compression of the compression spring921. The latch918can then be disengaged from the plunger914in order to allow decompression of the compression spring921, which moves the spring housing916and the plunger914downwardly in the direction of decompression of the compression spring921in order to eject the fastener from the staple chamber922.

The latch918is mounted to the fastening device900such that it can slide from left to right and from right to left in a horizontal fashion. An extension spring950(not shown) is included that biases the latch918to the left in a direction toward the plunger914. As shown inFIG. 8B, the latch918includes catch portions952(hidden in the figure) &954that engage and retain the plunger914when the compression spring921is in a compressed state. The plunger914preferably includes slots956(hidden in the figure) and958that receive the catch portions952,954. The slots956can be any suitable means for engaging the latch, such as bosses, protrusions, holes, ridge or other shape as long as a cooperating member is suitable formed on the latch for engaging therewith. As shown inFIG. 8A, the latch918also includes a ramp portion960. In operation, when the plunger914is forced upwardly, the top edge980of the plunger914engages the ramp portion960thereby urging the latch918in a direction from left to right away from the plunger914. The top edge980of the plunger914and the ramp portion960of the latch918are better shown inFIG. 8B. The plunger914continues to move upwardly until the slots956and958reach the catch portions952,954at which point the latch918moves from right to left as a result of the spring bias caused by extension spring950(not shown) thereby causing the catch portions952,954to be inserted into slots956,958such that the plunger914can be retained by the latch918.FIG. 8Cshows the plunger914retained by the latch918, and in particular, the catch portions952,954inserted into slots956,958.FIG. 8Calso shows the manually operable handle portion902in a depressed position.

As shown inFIG. 8A, the latch918also includes a manually operable portion962that allows the latch918to be manually actuated. In this embodiment, the manually operable portion962acts on the latch918in the same manner that the release actuator790acted on the sliding latch component728within device700from the embodiment shown inFIG. 7A. For example, when the plunger914is retained by the latch918(as a result of the catch portions952,954being inserted in the slots956,956as shown inFIG. 8C), the latch918can be actuated by a user by depressing the manually operable portion962. When this occurs, the latch918slides laterally such that the catch portions952,954are moved from left to right in a direction away from the plunger914. When the catch portions952,954exit the slots956,958and clear the plunger914, the plunger914is released and the decompression of the compression spring921results in the downwardly movement of the plunger914.

Referring again toFIG. 8A, a safety lever903may preferably be provided that rotates about axis905. The safety lever903is biased in a clock-wise direction by torsion spring907. The safety lever903has two ends. One end971is acted upon by the handle assembly904when the handle assembly904is decompressed. The other end970of the safety lever903prevents the latch918from actuating when the manually operable handle portion902is in the raised or released position as shown inFIG. 8Aby effectively blocking the rotation and impairing the actuation of the manually operable portion962of the latch. As shown inFIG. 8D, when the manually operable handle portion902is depressed, the end970of the safety lever903rotates downwardly so that the end970of the safety lever903no longer interferes with the operation of the latch918.

FIGS. 8E-8Fshow step by step the depression of the handle904through the step of the contact point972of the handle904contacting the safety lever903at end971thereby rotating it away from its contact with one end976of the manually operable portion962of the latch918.FIGS. 8G-8Hshow step by step the depression of the manually operable portion962of the latch918through the step of the disengagement and release of the plunger914from the latch918and the decompression of the compression spring921as previously described.

It is contemplated that fastening devices in accordance with the present invention will thereby allow a user to generate and store potential energy within a manually actuated fastening device900without instantly releasing the plunger914thereby causing a fastener to be ejected from the staple chamber922. It is further contemplated that the latch918may, in certain instances, may be deactivated such that the latch918does not engage the plunger914in operation. When the latch918is deactivated, the latch918cannot “catch” and retain the plunger914, so that the fastening device900works like any conventional forward acting staple gun. As shown throughFIGS. 8I-Jthe latch918may be deactivated by sliding the latch lock920from left to right engaging the latch918such that the latch918slides from left to right, and then keeps the latch918in this open position. When the latch918is kept in this open position, the latch cannot “catch” and retain the plunger914. It is contemplated that those skilled in the art could employ several different methodologies to effectively deactivate the latch918. For example, a pin (not shown) may be inserted through an opening (not shown) in the latch918that would keep the latch918in the open position.FIGS. 8I-Jillustrates how the latch lock920is slide from left to right thereby slidably engaging the latch918at latch tab975thereby forcing the latch918to the right. With the latch918held to the right, it cannot engage nor retain the plunger. Furthermore, with the latch lock920slid towards the rear of the device, one end973of the latch lock920engages the end974of the manually operable portion962of the latch918in such a manner as to block the rotation of the manually operable portion962of the latch918.

In operation, when the latch918is not deactivated, the manually operable handle portion902is depressed downwardly by the user. As explained herein, the depression of the handle portion902causes the handle assembly904to rotate, and with it the handle assembly roller906which acts on lever arm908, causing lever arm908to move the slider member912in a generally upward direction so as to compress the compression spring921. In other words, as the slider member912moves upward, the spring housing916and the plunger914also move upward, which causes compression of the compression spring921. The movement of the plunger914continues until the slider member912is no longer engaged with the spring housing916via the notch or recess926. At this point, the plunger914has moved enough distance to have become slidably engaged to the latch918via the catch portions952,954, which act to “catch” or retain the plunger914at the slots956,958formed in the plunger914. In other words, the latch918will engage and retain the plunger914once the slider member912becomes disengaged with the notch or recess926formed in the spring housing916.

The manually operable handle portion902can become engaged with the fastener device900body, thereby allowing a user access to the manually operable portion962of the latch918. Once the latch918has been actuated by the user through the depression of the manually operable portion962, the latch918slides laterally from left to right allowing the plunger914to disengage from the catch portions952,954of the latch918. This allows the plunger914to move downwardly in the direction of decompression of the compression spring921and eject a fastener from the staple chamber922.

The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. It is also contemplated that embodiments in accordance with the present invention can be adapted and used with rearward acting fastening devices such as rearward acting staplers as well.