Patent Publication Number: US-8109189-B2

Title: Effort-saving hand operated punching device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a hole punching device and, in particular, to an effort-saving punching device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Typically, an office hole punching device is a tool that is used to create holes in sheets of paper, and it has a long lever which is used to push a bladed cylinder straight through a number of sheets of paper. Generally, the lever does not need to be more than 8 cm long for sufficient force to handle low volume hole punches. However, if handling large volumes, there is then a demand for utilizing a very long lever arm in order that the punching effort can be saved. TW Pat. No. M308161 is a representative of an effort to provide a laborsaving punching device. Nevertheless, there is still a need for a punching device that accomplishes a greater effort-saving effect. 
     The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, a hole punching device includes a base formed with a plurality of punch holes. Two first punching members are provided, and a second punching member is locatable at various positions intermediate the two first punching members. Each of the first and second punching members includes a punch pin for punching a hole in sheets upon depression of the hole punching device. A first lever arm is pivotally moved with respect to a proximal end of the base and is adapted to move the punch pin of one of the two first punching members into one of the plurality of punch holes upon depression of the hole punching device. A second lever arm is pivotally moved with respect to a distal end of the base and is adapted to move the punch pin of another of the two first punching members into another of the plurality of punch holes upon depression of the hole punching device. A third lever arm is pivotally moved with respect to the second punching member and is adapted to move the punch pin of the second punching member into the other of the plurality of punch holes upon depression of the hole punching device. Moreover, the first lever arm has a longitudinal length longer than those of the second and third lever arms, with the second lever arm being longer than that of the third lever arm. Further, the first lever arm actuates the second and third lever arms upon depression of the hole punching device. 
     In one embodiment, the first lever arm has a pivotal direction opposite to that of the second lever arm, and the third lever arm has a pivotal direction in accordance with that of the second lever arm. 
     In another embodiment, the first lever arm has a pivotal direction opposite to that of the second lever arm, and the third lever arm has a pivotal direction opposite to that of the second lever arm. 
     It is an object of the present invention that the hole punching device effectively accomplishes an effort-saving effect. 
     It is another object of the present invention that the second punching member is locatable at various positions for various punch hole patterns. 
     It is a further object of the present invention that the punch pins of the associated first and second punching members can move into the corresponding punch holes sequentially so as to further make depression of the hole punching device effort-saving. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which assist in illustrating the pertinent features thereof, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a hole punching device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is another cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 3 , illustrating the hole punching device of  FIG. 1  in another operational position. 
         FIG. 5  is another cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 3 , illustrating the hole punching device of  FIG. 1  in another operational position. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a hole punching device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the hole punching device of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a hole punching device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the hole punching device of  FIG. 8   
         FIG. 10  is another cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 9 , illustrating the hole punching device of  FIG. 8  in another operational position. 
         FIG. 11  is another cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 9 , illustrating the hole punching device of  FIG. 8  in another operational position. 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of a hole punching device in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the hole punching device of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is another side view similar to  FIG. 13 , illustrating the hole punching device of  FIG. 12  in another operational position. 
         FIG. 15  is another side view similar to  FIG. 13 , illustrating the hole punching device of  FIG. 12  in another operational position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIGS. 1  though  5  show a hole punching device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The hole punching device includes a base  10  having two lugs  11  on a proximal end and a distal end thereof respectively. 
     The base  10  also includes a platform  12  having a receiving area  13  on which two first punching members  20  and a second punching member  70  can mount. Preferably, the two first punching members  20  are mounted on a proximal end and a distal end of the receiving area  13  respectively. Additionally, the second punching member  70  is locatable at various positions intermediate the two first punching members  20 . Moreover, each of the first and second punching members  20 ,  70  are fixed to the platform  12  by fasteners (not numbered). Specifically, the receiving area  13  includes a plurality of holes  15  allowing insertion of the fasteners. Further, a plurality of punch holes  14  are formed on the receiving area  13 . In addition, each lug  11  includes a slot  112  adapted to receive and align sheets to be punched on the platform  12 . 
     Each of the first and second punching members  20  and  70  includes a punch pin  23  for punching holes in the sheets upon depression of the hole punching device. Moreover, the pin  23  in each of the first punching members  20  is operably moveable through a compartment  211  and a slotted area  212  of a body  21 , and the pin  23  in the second punching member  70  is moveable through a compartment  711  and a slotted area  712  of a body  71 . Additionally, the punch pin  23  in each of the first and second punching members  20  and  70  is prevented from disengagement with the associated body  21 ,  71  by a clip  24 . Also, the punch pin  23  in each of the of the first and second punching members  20  and  70  is adapted to be biased in a direction reverse to a direction where the punch pin moves upon depression of the hole punching device by a spring  25 . 
     The hole punching device also includes a first lever arm  30  that is pivotally moved with respect to the proximal end of the base  10  upon depression of the hole punching device. Preferably, the first lever arm  30  includes a pivotal end  31  connected to the lug  11  at the proximal end of the base  10  by a pin  60 . Then, the first lever arm  30  is adapted to operably move the punch pin  23  of one of the two first punching members  20  into one of the plurality of punch holes  14 . Preferably, the first lever arm  30  includes an engaging portion  35  extending therefrom and abutting the punch pin  23  of the said first punching member  20 . Generally, the user depresses the first lever arm  30  at an operational end  32  which is opposite to the pivotal end  31 . A second lever arm  40  is pivotally moved with respect to the distal end of the base  10  upon depression of the hole punching device. Preferably, the second lever arm  40  includes a pivotal end  41  connected to the lug  11  at the distal end of the base  10  by another pin  60 . Then, the second lever arm  40  is adapted to operably move the punch pin  23  of another of the two first punching members  20  into another of the plurality of punch holes  14 . Preferably, the second lever arm  40  includes an engaging portion  43  extending therefrom and abutting the punch pin  23  of the said first punching member  20 . Additionally, a third lever arm  50  is pivotally moved with respect to the second punching member  70  upon depression of the hole punching device. Preferably, the third lever arm  50  includes a pivotal end  51  connected to the second punching member  70  by the other pin  60 . Then, the third lever arm  50  is adapted to operably move the punch pin  23  of the second punching member  70  into the other of the plurality of punch holes  14 . Preferably, the third lever arm  50  includes an engaging portion  53  extending therefrom and abutting the punch pin  23  of the second punching member  70 . Preferably, the first, second and third lever arms  30 ,  40 ,  50  pivot coplanar in relation to each other. However, it is appreciated that the arms  30 ,  40 , and  50  pivoting in different planes is within the scope of the present invention. Further, the first lever arm  30  has a longitudinal length longer than those of the second and third lever arms  40 ,  50 , with the second lever arm  40  being longer than that of the third lever arm  50 . Further, the first lever arm  30  actuates the second and third lever arms  40 ,  50  upon depression of the hole punching device. 
     In use, the first lever arm  30  has a pivotal direction opposite to that of the second lever arm  40 , and the third lever arm  50  has a pivotal direction in accordance with that of the second lever arm  40 . The second lever arm  40  includes a sliding end A moveable on and between the pivotal end  31  and the operational end  32  of the first lever arm  30 . The third lever arm  50  includes a sliding portion B moveable on and between the pivotal end and operational end of the first lever arm  30 . Preferably, the first lever arm  30  includes a first guiding groove  33  and a second guiding groove  34  where the sliding end A of the second lever arm  40  and the sliding portion B of the third arm  50  are moveably received respectively. Preferably, each of the second and third lever arms  40 ,  50  includes a roller  42 ,  52  installed to the sliding end A and the sliding portion B thereof respectively such that more effort can be saved during operation thereof. 
     Note that the hole punching device has a length measured from the operational end  32  to the sliding end A as L 1 , and L 1  will increase to L′ and L 1 ′″ as the hole punching device is further depressed. Further, the hole punching device has a length measured from the operational end  32  to the sliding portion B as L 2 , and L 2  will increase to L 2 ′ and L 2 ″ as the hole punching device is further depressed. Additionally, the second lever arm  40  defines a load arm distance S 1 , and the third lever arm defines a load arm distance S 2  smaller than S 1 . As a result, these phenomenons allow an effort-saving operation. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  show a hole punching device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The hole punching device is similar to the first embodiment except that it includes a second guiding groove extension  38  installed to the first lever arm  30  by a pin  37 , and the sliding portion B of the third arm  50  is adapted to be movably received in the second guiding groove extension  38 . Note that in  FIG. 7  the second punching member  70  is therefore adapted to be located at a further left position than a position in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIGS. 8 through 11  show a hole punching device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. The hole punching device is similar to the first embodiment. 
     Accordingly, like numerals are employed to denote like components except bearing an “a”. The hole punching device differentiates from the first embodiment in that it includes a first lever arm  30   a , a second lever arm  40   a , and a third lever arm  50   a . The second lever arm  40   a  includes a sliding end A′ moveable on the first lever arm  30   a , and the third lever arm  50   a  includes a sliding portion B′ spaced from the first lever arm  30   a . The second lever arm  40   a  includes an edge  44   a  where the sliding portion B′ of the third lever arm  50   a  is adapted to movably engage the edge  44   a  upon depression of the hole punching device. The first lever arm  30   a  includes an engaging portion  35   a , the second lever arm  40   a  includes an engaging portion  43   a , and the third lever arm  50   a  includes an engaging portion  53   a . The engaging portions  43   a ,  53   a  are contemplated to include rolling members which are utilized to facilitate operation of the hole punching device. 
     Contrary to the first embodiment, the punch pins  23  of the associated first and second punching members  20 ,  70  in this embodiment are adapted to move into the corresponding punch holes  14  sequentially so as to further make depression of the hole punching device effort-saving. 
       FIGS. 12 through 15  show a hole punching device in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The hole punching device is similar to the first embodiment. Accordingly, like numerals are employed to denote like components except bearing a “b”. The fourth embodiment differentiates from the first embodiment in that it includes a first lever arm  30   b , a second lever arm  40   b , and a third lever arm  50   b . The third lever arm  50   b  has a pivotal direction opposite to that of the second lever arm  40   b . The second lever arm  40   b  includes a sliding end A″ moveable on the first lever arm  30   b , and the third lever arm  50   b  includes a sliding portion B″ spaced from the first lever arm  30   a . The second lever arm  40   b  includes an edge  44   b  where the sliding portion B″ of the third lever arm  50   b  is adapted to movably engage the edge  44   b  upon depression of the hole punching device. The first lever arm  30   b  includes an engaging portion  35   b , the second lever arm  40   b  includes an engaging portion  43   b , and the third lever arm  50   b  includes an engaging portion  53   b . The engaging portions  35   b ,  43   b ,  53   b  include slots  351   b ,  431   b , and  531   b  respectively. Each of the slots  351   b ,  431   b ,  531   b  includes a positioning pin  60   b  inserting therethrough and is moveable at various positions in the associated slot  351   b ,  431   b ,  531   b  upon depression of the hole punching device. 
     Contrary to the first embodiment, the punch pins  23  of the associated first and second punching members  20 ,  70  in this embodiment are adapted to move into the corresponding punch holes  14  sequentially so as to further make depression of the hole punching device effort-saving. Also, the first lever arm  30   b  has a pivotal direction opposite to that of the second lever arm  40   b , and the third lever arm  50   b  has a pivotal direction opposite to that of the second lever arm  40   b.    
     Further, it is contemplated that the second and third lever arms  40   b ,  50   b  have sides substantially L-shaped, the second lever arm  40   b  has two engaging portions  43   b , and the third lever arm  50   b  has two engaging portions  53   b . A base  10   b  is therefore modified accordingly for connection with the second and third lever arms  40   b ,  50   b.    
     While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of invention, and the scope of invention is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.