Patent Publication Number: US-2010107426-A1

Title: Hand-held hole punch

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to hole punches and more particularly to hand-held hole punches for creating holes through paper. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     Hand-held hole punches are employed to create a hole through one or more sheets of paper. It may be desirable to pierce a hole through paper to allow a user to place the sheets of paper in a ring binder. 
     A conventional single hole hand-held hole punch  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The hole punch  10  includes two handles  12 ,  14  pivotally connected at pivot point  16 . Jaws  18 ,  20  are integrally formed, respectively, with the handles  12 ,  14 . A punch  22  is located on jaw  18  and a hole (not shown), sized to accommodate the punch  22 , is located on the opposite jaw  20 . A paper guide  26  is secured to a post  28 , which is connected to one of the jaws, and extends through an aperture in the other jaw to permit the jaws to close. A spring (not shown) in the handles  12 ,  14  may bias the handles  12 ,  14  apart from one another. 
     To create a hole using the hole punch  10  of  FIG. 1 , a user inserts a sheet of paper between the two jaws  1   8  and  20  and rotates the two handles  12 ,  14  toward one another about pivot point  16 . This rotational motion of the handles moves jaw  18  and its punch  22  towards jaw  20  until a hole is pierced through the sheet of paper. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the invention, a hand-held hole punch is disclosed. The hand-held hole punch includes a handle assembly including a first handle and a second handle, where a longitudinal length of at least a substantial portion of the second handle is arranged to be substantially parallel to at least a portion of the first handle. The hole punch further includes a first jaw coupled to the first handle and a second jaw coupled the second handle, where the second jaw is spaced apart from the first jaw. A punch is coupled to the second jaw, and the handle assembly is adapted to actuate the punch, from a rest position to a deployed position, by movement of at least one of the first and second handles in manner that maintains the substantially parallel relationship of the longitudinal length of at least a substantial portion of the second handle with the at least a portion of the first handle. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a hand-held hole punch is disclosed. The hand-held hole punch includes a handle assembly with a first handle and a second handle, a first jaw coupled to the first handle and a second jaw coupled the second handle, where the second jaw is spaced apart from the first jaw. The hole punch further includes a first linkage pivotally coupled to the second handle and coupled to the second jaw, and a second linkage pivotally coupled to both the first handle and the second handle. A punch is coupled to at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw, and the handle assembly is adapted to actuate the punch, from a rest position to a deployed position, by movement of at least one of the first and second handles in a manner that rotates the first and second linkages. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention provide certain advantages. Not all embodiments of the invention share the same advantages and those that do may not share them under all circumstances. 
     Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure of various embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a conventional single hole hand-held hole punch; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a hand-held hole punch; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the hole punch of  FIG. 2  shown in a pre-actuation position; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the hole punch of  FIG. 2  shown in a punch position; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded assembly view of the hole punch of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a partially assembled hole punch; 
         FIG. 7  is another perspective view of a partially assembled hole punch; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the hole punch of  FIG. 2  shown with the chad chamber in a closed position; and 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the hole punch of  FIG. 2  shown with the chad chamber in an open position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” “containing”, “involving,” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. 
     Aspects of the invention are directed to a hand-held hole punch used to create holes through material, such as, but not limited to, one or more sheets of paper. The holes may be pierced in the paper to allow a user to place the sheets of paper in a ring binder. The hand-held hole punch includes a handle assembly having a first handle and a second handle with a first jaw coupled to the first handle and a second jaw coupled to the second handle. A punch configured to pierce holes into the paper is coupled to one of the jaws and the handle assembly is configured to actuate the punch. It should be appreciated that the hole punch may also be configured to create holes through non-paper material, as the invention is not so limited. 
     Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to a hand-held hole punch having a handle assembly which is configured to make it easier for a user to actuate the punch. As discussed in greater detail below, the handle assembly may be configured to actuate the punch by substantially linear movement (i.e. non-rotational movement) of a portion of the handle assembly. The handle assembly may be configured to actuate the punch by movement of a portion of the handle assembly in a direction such that it maintains a substantially parallel relationship with another portion of the handle assembly. 
     Other embodiments of the present invention are directed to a hand-held hole punch with a linkage assembly including a first linkage and a second linkage. In one embodiment, the first linkage is pivotally coupled to the first handle, and the second linkage is pivotally coupled to both the first handle and the second handle. 
     Turning now to the drawings, it should be appreciated that the drawings illustrate various components and features which may be incorporated into various embodiments of the present invention. For simplification, some of the drawings may illustrate more than one optional feature or component. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed in the drawings. It should be recognized that the present invention encompasses embodiments which may include only a portion of the components illustrated in any one figure, and/or may also encompass embodiments combining components illustrated in multiple different drawings. 
     In  FIGS. 2-9 , a hole punch  30  is illustrated. The hole punch  30  includes a first jaw  36  and a second jaw  38  spaced apart from the first jaw  36 . At least one punch  32  is coupled to one of the jaws  36 ,  38  (see  FIG. 5 ) and is configured to pierce a hole through one or more sheets of paper when the paper (not shown) is inserted between the jaws  36 ,  38 . In one illustrative embodiment, the punch  32  is a rounded protrusion that extends outwardly from the second jaw  38  (see  FIG. 5 ). The punch  32  may have sharp edges configured to cut through the paper to create a hole in the paper. 
     The first jaw  36  is spaced apart from and positioned opposite the punch  32  and may include an opening  24  sized to receive the punch  32 . In one illustrative embodiment, the first jaw  36  has an opening  24  arranged such that the punch  32  can extend into the opening  24  after the hole is created through the paper. The hole punch  30  may also include a paper guide  48  positioned in between the jaws  36 ,  38 . The paper guide  48  may be used to hold the paper and separate the paper from the punch  32  after the punch  32  creates a hole through the paper. As shown, the guide  48  may include an opening aligned with the opening  24  in the first jaw  36  so that the punch  32  can pass through the guide  48 . 
     A handle assembly  34 , including a first handle  40  and a second handle  60 , is configured to actuate the punch  32 . Upon actuation of the handle assembly  34 , the punch  32  moves from a rest position (shown in  FIG. 3 ) towards the first jaw  36  and to a deployed position (shown in  FIG. 4 ). As discussed in greater detail below, the handle assembly  34  may be configured to actuate the punch  32  by movement of at least one of the handles  40 ,  60  closer to the other handle. The punch  32  is configured to create a hole through a sheet of paper when the punch  32  is in its deployed position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , in one embodiment, a longitudinal length of the second handle  60  (defined by line B) is substantially parallel to at least a portion of the first handle  40  (defined by line C) in the pre-actuation position, and as shown in  FIG. 4 , in one embodiment, the longitudinal length of the second handle  60  (defined by line B) is substantially parallel to at least a portion of the first handle  40  (defined by line C) in the punch position. As discussed in greater detail below, in one embodiment, the second handle  60  is constructed to move in a linear fashion (in the direction of arrow A) to maintain a substantially parallel relationship between the longitudinal length of the second handle  60  and the first handle  40 . 
     In one embodiment, the handle assembly  34  includes a first linkage  50  pivotally coupled to the second handle  60 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , a first end of the first linkage  50  may be pivotally coupled to the second handle  60  at pin  52 . The second handle  60  may include a handle inner component  62  configured to hold the pin  52 . In one illustrative embodiment, the handle inner component  62  has a hole  64  sized to receive the pin  52 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the first end of the first linkage  50  may also have a hole  54  sized to receive the pin  52 . 
     The first linkage  50  may be coupled to the second jaw  38  and may be movable therewith. In one embodiment, the first linkage  50  may be pivotally coupled to the second handle  60  and the second end of the first linkage  50  may be coupled to the second jaw  38  such that movement of the second handle  60  moves the second jaw  38  and the punch  32  downwardly into its deployed position. As shown in  FIG. 7 , in one embodiment, the first linkage  50  is integrally formed with the second jaw  38 . It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the first linkage  50  may be coupled to, but not integral with, the second jaw  38 , as the invention is not so limited. 
     In one illustrative embodiment, the first linkage  50  is pivotally coupled to the first handle  60 . As shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , the second end of the first linkage  50  may be pivotally coupled to the first handle  40  at pin  56 . The first handle  40  may include a handle inner component  42  configured to hold the pin  56  and the first linkage may have a hole sized to receive the pin  56 . 
     It should further be recognized that in other embodiments, the first linkage  50  may be coupled to the first handle  40 , the second handle  60  and/or the second jaw  38  differently as the invention is not limited in this respect. 
     In one embodiment, the handle assembly includes a second linkage  70  pivotally coupled to both the first and second handles  40 ,  60 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , a first end of the second linkage  70  may be pivotally coupled to the second handle  60  at pin  72 . The handle inner component  62  may be configured to hold the pin  72 , and in one embodiment, the handle inner component  62  has a hole  63  sized to receive the pin. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the first end of the second linkage  70  may also have a hole  74  sized to receive the pin  72 . 
     The second end of the second linkage  70  may be pivotally coupled to the first handle  40  at pin  76 . Similar to the second handle  60 , the first handle  40  may also include a handle inner component  42  configured to hold the pin  76 . In one illustrative embodiment, the handle inner component  42  has a hole sized to receive the pin  76 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , in one embodiment, the second end of the second linkage  70  may also have a hole sized to receive the pin  76 . 
     It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the second linkage  70  may be coupled to the first and second handles  40 ,  60  differently, as the invention is not limited in this respect. 
     In one embodiment, linear movement of the second handle  60  relative to the first handle  40  actuates the punch  32 . In one illustrative embodiment, movement of the second handle  60  in a manner that maintains the substantially parallel relationship of the longitudinal length of a substantial portion of the second handle  60  with at least a portion of the first handle  40  actuates the first linkage  50  which moves the punch  32 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , linear movement of the second handle  60  in the direction of arrow A towards the first handle  40  rotates the first linkage  50  and second jaw  3   8  in a counter-clockwise direction which pivotally moves the punch  32  into its deployed position. 
     In this regard, upon pressing the second handle  60  toward the first handle  40  in the direction of arrow A (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) the first linkage  50  rotates about an axis defined by pin  56  (see  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). When the first linkage  50  is movable with the second jaw  38 , this rotational movement of the first linkage  50  rotates the second jaw  38  and punch  32  down towards the first jaw  36 . In this respect, the punch  32  pivotally moves from the rest position to the deployed position. Because the second linkage  70  is pivotally coupled to the second handle  60 , the movement of the second handle  60  towards the first handle  40  also rotates the second linkage  70  in a counter-clockwise direction. In one embodiment, the second linkage  70  rotates about an axis defined by pin  76  (see  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). As a result, the first and second linkages  50 ,  70  move from the pre-actuation position of  FIG. 3  to the punch position shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the handle assembly  34  may include a spring  68  to bias the handle assembly  34  in the pre-actuation position such that the handle assembly  34  will automatically return to the pre-actuation position after the punch  32  is actuated into its deployed position. As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in one embodiment, the spring  68  may be coupled at one end to the second jaw  3   8  at hook  58  and at the other end, the spring  68  may be coupled to the first handle inner component  42  at hook  98 . In one embodiment, the spring  68  may be a helical spring. In one embodiment, the spring  68  may wrap around a pivot point such as pin  76 . It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the spring  68  may be coupled to the handle assembly  34  differently and/or the handle assembly may be biased differently, as the invention is not so limited. 
     The hole punch  30  may be configured such that the first linkage  50  is substantially parallel to the second linkage  70  when the handle assembly  34  is in the pre-actuation position. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , line D extends along the longitudinal length of the first linkage  50  and line E extends along the longitudinal length of the second linkage  70  to more clearly illustrate the substantially parallel relationship between the first and second linkages  50 ,  70  in the pre-actuation position. 
     As shown in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the hole punch  30  may be configured such that the first linkage  50  is substantially parallel to the second linkage  70  when the handle assembly  34  is in the punch position. In particular, line D which extends along the longitudinal length of the first linkage  50  is substantially parallel to line E which extends along the longitudinal length of the second linkage  70  when the handle assembly  34  is in the punch position. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the parallel relationship between the first and second linkages  50 ,  70  may be maintained between the pre-actuation position and the punch position. 
     As shown in the exploded assembly view of  FIG. 5 , in one embodiment, the second handle  60  includes a plurality of components. In one embodiment, the second handle  60  includes the above-mentioned handle inner component  62  which couples the first and second linkages  50 ,  70  to the second handle  60  through pins  52 ,  72 . As shown, the second handle  60  may also include a handle cover  64  and a handle shell  66 . In one embodiment, the handle cover  64  receives and retains the handle inner component  62  and the handle cover  64  may increase the overall size of the second handle  60  which may make it easier for a user to grip. The handle cover  64  may also be received and retained within the handle cover  66  which may be provided with desirable surface gripping characteristics. In one embodiment, the handle cover  66  may be formed of a higher friction material, such as a thermal plastic clastomer (TPE) to assist a user in gripping the handle  60  to actuate the handle assembly  34 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in one embodiment, the handle cover  64  and/or handle shell  66  may at least partially enclose at least a portion of the first linkage  50  and/or second linkage  70 . As illustrated, in one embodiment, one or more of the components of the second handle  60  may be provided in a nesting arrangement. However, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the second handle  60  may be configured differently, as the invention is not so limited. As also shown in the exploded view of  FIG. 5 , in one embodiment, the first handle  40  includes a plurality of components. In one embodiment, the first handle  40  includes the above-mentioned handle inner component  42  which couples the first and/or second linkages  50 ,  70  to the first handle  40  through pins  56 ,  76 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the first handle  40  may also include a handle cover  44  and a handle shell  46 . In one embodiment, the handle cover  44  receives and retains the handle inner component  42  and the handle cover  44  may increase the overall size of the first handle  40  which may make it easier for a user to grip. The handle cover  44  may also be received and retained within the handle cover  46  which may be provided with desirable surface gripping characteristics. In one embodiment, the handle cover  46  may be formed of a higher friction material, such as a thermal plastic elastomer (TPE) to assist a user in gripping the handle  40  to actuate the handle assembly  34 . In one embodiment, the handle cover  44  and/or handle shell  46  may extend up to and at least partially enclose at least a portion of the second jaw  38 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , in one embodiment, the handle cover  44  at least partially encloses the second jaw  38  when the handle assembly  34  is in the pre-actuation position. As illustrated, in one embodiment, one or more of the components of the first handle  40  may be provided in a nesting arrangement. However, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the first handle  40  may be configured differently, as the invention is not so limited. 
     In one embodiment, the hole punch  30  is configured to collapse into a stowed configuration in which the hole punch takes up a smaller size than it does in its pre-actuation position shown in  FIG. 3 . At least a portion of the handle assembly  34  may collapse to reduce the overall volume of the hole punch when the hole punch  30  is in its stowed configuration. In one embodiment, the stowed configuration is similar to the punch position shown in  FIG. 4 , and the first linkage  50  is adapted to be recessed into the second handle  60 . As shown, the two handles  40 ,  60  may be spaced apart when the hole punch  30  is in the stowed configuration. It should be appreciated that in another embodiment, the hole punch  30  may be configured such that the two handles  40 ,  60  contact each other in a stowed configuration, as the invention is not so limited. 
     According to one embodiment of the invention, the hole punch  30  includes a lock  90  to hold the position of the linkages  50 ,  70  in the stowed configuration. The stowed configuration may be when the handle assembly  34  is in either the pre-actuation position, in the punch position, or in a position between the pre-actuation position and the punch position, as the present invention is not limited in this respect. In one embodiment, the stowed configuration is in the punch position shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     In one embodiment, the lock  90  is disposed on the handle assembly  34  and in particular, on the first handle  40 . The lock  90  includes a detent  92  that engages with the handle assembly  34  to prevent movement of the linkages  50 ,  70 . As shown in  FIGS. 2-5 , to move the lock  90  to the locked position where the detent  92  is engaged with a hook  78  on the second linkage  78  (see  FIGS. 6-7 ) and to an unlocked position where the detent is disengaged from the hook  78 , a slide member  94  is attached to the detent  92 . When assembled, the slide member  94  may be positioned within a recess  96  formed in the first handle  40  so as to maintain a low profile design. In one embodiment, the detent  92  may be configured to engage with at least one of the first and second linkages  50 ,  70 . As shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 6-7 , the lock  90  is selectively engageable with a hook  78  which extends outwardly from the second linkage  70 . It should be appreciated that in another embodiment, the lock  90  may be configured differently, as the invention is not so limited. 
     The hole punch  30  may include features to capture the resulting punched paper from the hole after a sheet of paper has been created. These resulting chads may be held within a chamber  120  disposed below one of the jaws  36 ,  38 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , this chamber  120  may be formed below the first jaw  36 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the chamber  120  may be pivotally coupled to the first jaw  36  to provide access to the inside of the chamber  120 . 
     Although a chamber  120  is employed, the present invention is not limited in this regard, as other suitable receptacles may be employed. In addition, no chamber need be employed and the chads may simply be expelled from the hole punch  30 . 
     As can be appreciated, the hole punch may be formed of any suitable material, as the present invention is not limited in this regard. Similarly, the hole punch may be sized to accommodate any number of sheets including one, five, ten, twenty, forty or more sheets. In one embodiment, the jaws  36 , 38 , linkages  50 ,  70  and punch  32  are formed of metal. Other non-structural components may be formed of a lower strength material, such as plastic. As mentioned above, some components of the hole punch  30 , such as portions of the handle assembly  34 , may be formed of thermal plastic elastomer (TPE). 
     The punch  32  may be formed of any suitable materials as the present invention is not limited in this regard. In one embodiment, the punch  32  is at least partially formed of a low friction material, thereby allowing for further ease of entry of the sheet material. In one embodiment, the punch is formed of a metallic material that may be coated with a low friction material. In still other embodiments, the punch may be formed of a durable plastic material. Combinations of materials are also contemplated, as the present invention is not limited in this respect. 
     As is conventional, the punch  32  is formed so as to produce a circular hole. However, the shape of the cutting end may be any desired shape, as the present invention is not limited in this regard. For example, the cutting end may have a cross section in the shape of a polygon, such as, a square, a rectangle, or a triangle, or other shapes, such as an oval, a star, or a heart. Other desired shapes may be employed. 
     The foregoing written specification is to be considered to be sufficient to enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention. While the best mode for carrying out the invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative embodiments including those mentioned above as defined by the following claims. The examples disclosed herein are not to be construed as limiting of the invention as they are intended merely as illustrative of particular embodiments of the invention as enabled herein. Therefore, systems and methods that are functionally equivalent to those described herein are within the spirit and scope of the claims appended hereto. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and fall within the scope of the appended claims.