Patent Publication Number: US-2013234384-A1

Title: Stapling device for use with printing device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a stapling device, and more particularly to a stapling device for use with a printing device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A paper stapler is a widely-used stapling device. When the handle of the paper stapler is manually pressed down by the user, a staple within the paper stapler is launched through plural paper sheets. Due to the pressing action, the ends of the staple are further folded, so that the plural paper sheets are jointed together. However, the process of manually operating the conventional stapling device is labor-intensive and time-consuming. 
     In some occasions, the plural paper sheets are manually jointed together by the stapling device after the plural paper sheets are printed and outputted from a printing device. Since the plural paper sheets are no longer disorderly spread everywhere, the joined paper sheets may be easily stored, managed or read. Generally, the printing device comprises a copier, a printer, or a multifunction peripheral which integrate a copier, a printer and a scanner. The printer is one of the most common printing devices. The duplex operation of a printing device will be illustrated as follows. For performing the duplex printing operation, a first page of a document file in a computer is firstly printed on a first side of a blank paper sheet. After the first page of the document file has been printed, the paper sheet with the printed image of the first page of the document file is turned over and then placed on a sheet input tray of the printing device. Then, a second page of the document is printed on a second side of the paper sheet. However, the process of repeatedly and manually turning over the paper sheet is troublesome. If the document contains a great number of pages, this drawback becomes more serious. Recently, a duplex printing device has been developed for automatically performing a duplex printing operation. The duplex printing device is widely used by many persons and companies. 
     Regardless of whether a single-side printing device or a duplex printing device is used, after the printing operation is completed, the printed paper sheet is ejected to a sheet ejecting tray of the printing device. Then, the plural paper sheets are removed from the sheet ejecting tray and stapled by a stapling device (e.g. a paper stapler). After the stapling operation is done, the plural paper sheets are joined together without being disorderly spread everywhere, and can be easily managed. However, since the printing process of the printing device should be performed before the plural paper sheets are manually stapled, the manual stapling process is more time-consuming. For solving these drawbacks, a stapling device for a printing device has been disclosed. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic side view illustrating a conventional stapling device for use with a printing device. The printing device  1  comprises a stapling device casing  10 , an entrance  11 , a stapling module  12 , a first conveying channel  13 , plural first conveying roller assemblies  14 , a first exit  15 , and a sheet handling tray  16 . The printing device  2  comprises a printing device casing  20 , a sheet input tray  21 , a printing module  22 , a second conveying channel  23 , plural second conveying roller assemblies  24 , and a second exit  25 . In addition, the printing device casing  20  has a top surface  201 . The second exit  25  is formed in the top surface  201  of the printing device casing  20 . The sheet input tray  21  is disposed within the printing device casing  20  for placing plural paper sheets P thereon. The second conveying channel  23  is disposed within the printing device casing  20 . In addition, the second conveying channel  23  is arranged between the sheet input tray  21  and the second exit  25  for allowing the plural paper sheets P to go through. The plural second conveying roller assemblies  24  are disposed in the second conveying channel  23 . By the plural second conveying roller assemblies  24 , the plural paper sheets P on the sheet input tray  21  are transmitted to the second exit  25 . The printing module  22  is disposed in the second conveying channel  23  for printing images on the plural paper sheets P. 
     The stapling device casing  10  is disposed on the top surface  201  of the printing device casing  20 . In addition, the second exit  25  is sheltered by the stapling device casing  10 . The first conveying channel  13  is in contact with the second exit  25 , so that the first conveying channel  13  is in communication with the second conveying channel  23 . The plural first conveying roller assemblies  14  are disposed in the first conveying channel  13 . By the plural first conveying roller assemblies  14 , the plural paper sheets P from the second conveying channel  23  may be transmitted to the sheet handling tray  16 . The sheet handling tray  16  is used for supporting the plural paper sheets P. In addition, the stapling module  12  is located beside the sheet handling tray  16  for stapling the plural paper sheets P which are placed on the sheet handling tray  16 . From the above discussions, after the plural paper sheets P are printed by the printing module  22  of the printing device  2 , the plural paper sheets P are stapled by the printing device  1 . In comparison with the manual stapling process, the use of the printing device  1  is time-saving because it is not necessary to wait for the completion of the printing operations on the plural paper sheets P and the automatic stapling process is faster. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 1  again. The stapling device casing  10  is disposed over the printing device casing  20 . In addition, the first conveying channel  13  is in upright communication with the second conveying channel  23 . That is, the path of transmitting the plural paper sheets P is a straight line from bottom to top. Due to the upright arrangement, the overall height of the printing device  2  and the stapling device  1  will be largely increased. 
     Moreover, the printing device casing  20  has a rear surface  202 . In a case that the printing device  2  has a failure (e.g. a paper jam event), the rear surface  202  may be opened, so that the user may easily repair the inner part of the printing device  2 . However, if the plural paper sheets P are transmitted to the stapling device  1  and the paper jam event occurs within the stapling device  1  (see  FIG. 2 ), some drawbacks occur. For example, since the second exit  25  and the second conveying channel  23  are too narrow, the user&#39;s finger fails to be inserted therein to touch the jammed paper sheet P. On the other hand, even if the rear surface  202  of the printing device casing  20  is opened, the jammed paper sheet P still fails to be touched or removed by the user&#39;s finger or any other tool because the distance between the rear surface  202  and the stapling module  12  is too long. For solving the paper jam event, it is necessary for the user to detach the stapling device casing  10 . 
     Generally, the stapling device casing  10  is not detachably connected to the printing device casing  20 . For solving the paper jam event, a specified tool is required to detach the stapling device casing  10 . As known, the use of an additional tool to detach the stapling device casing  10  is troublesome. 
     Therefore, there is a need of providing an improved stapling device for use with a printing device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a stapling device for use with a printing device. The stapling device has a stapling device casing. The stapling device casing can be easily detached without the need of using an additional tool. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stapling device for use with a printing device. The stapling device is disposed on the printing device for stapling plural paper sheets from the printing device. The stapling device includes a stapling device casing, an entrance, a first exit, a first conveying channel, and a channel base plate. The entrance is formed in the stapling device casing and located near the printing device. The plural paper sheets outputted from the printing device are introduced into the stapling device through the entrance. The first exit is formed in the stapling device casing, wherein the plural paper sheets are exited out of the stapling device through the first exit. The first conveying channel is arranged between the entrance and the first exit for allowing the plural paper sheets to go through. The channel base plate is located at a bottom side of the first conveying channel. The channel base plate has a movable contact plate to be contacted with the plural paper sheets within the first conveying channel. By poking the movable contact plate, the movable contact plate is moved relative to the channel base plate, so that the plural paper sheets are correspondingly moved to a position near the first exit to be removed from the first exit. 
     In an embodiment, when the movable contact plate is moved from a sheet-feeding position to a jam-releasing position near the first exit, the plural paper sheets are removable from the movable contact plate through the first exit. When the movable contact plate is pushed to be moved from the jam-releasing position to the sheet-feeding position, the paper sheets are permitted to be transmitted along the first conveying channel. 
     In an embodiment, the movable contact plate has a pushing slice for contacting the plural paper sheets within the first conveying channel. When the movable contact plate is poked and moved relative to the movable contact plate, the plural paper sheets are pushed by the pushing slice to the position near the first exit, so that the plural paper sheets are removable through the first exit. 
     In an embodiment, the stapling device further includes a stapling module, a feed roller assembly, and a first conveying roller assembly. The stapling module is disposed within the stapling device casing and located over the first exit for stapling the plural paper sheets. The feed roller assembly is disposed in the first conveying channel and located near the entrance for transporting the plural paper sheets into the first conveying channel. The first conveying roller assembly is disposed on the channel base plate and located near the first conveying channel for transmitting plural paper sheets along the first conveying channel. 
     In an embodiment, the stapling device further includes at least one supporting structure. The at least one supporting structure is located near the first exit and located beside the first exit. After the plural paper sheets are departed from the channel base plate, the plural paper sheets are supported on the at least one supporting structure. 
     In an embodiment, when the movable contact plate is moved to a jam-releasing position near the first exit, the at least one supporting structure is located at a side of the movable contact plate. 
     In an embodiment, the stapling device further includes a connecting member. The connecting member is disposed on the stapling device casing and located near a printing device casing of the printing device to be connected with the printing device casing. The stapling device casing and the printing device casing of the printing device are combined together through the connecting member. 
     In an embodiment, the printing device casing includes at least one positioning hole and at least one fixing recess. The at least one positioning hole is exposed to a surface of the printing device casing. The at least one fixing recess is exposed to the surface of the printing device casing and located beside the at least one positioning hole. The connecting member includes at least one fixing hook and at least one positioning post. The at least one fixing hook is aligned with the at least one fixing recess, located at a side of the connecting member, swingable relative to the connecting member, inserted into the at least one fixing recess and engaged with the at least one fixing recess, so that the connecting member is fixed on the printing device casing, and the stapling device casing and the printing device casing are connected with each other through the connecting member. The at least one positioning post is aligned with the at least one positioning hole, located beside the at least one fixing hook, and inserted into the at least one positioning hole, so that the surface of the printing device casing is not in contact with the stapling device casing. 
     In an embodiment, the printing device further includes a connecting piece. The connecting piece is disposed on a surface of the printing device casing, and includes at least one positioning hole and at least one fixing recess. The at least one positioning hole is exposed to the surface of the printing device casing. The at least one fixing recess is located beside the at least one positioning hole. The connecting member includes at least one fixing hook and at least one positioning post. The at least one fixing hook is aligned with the at least one fixing recess, located at a side of the connecting member, swingable relative to the connecting member, inserted into the at least one fixing recess and engaged with the at least one fixing recess, so that the connecting member is fixed on the printing device casing. The stapling device casing and the printing device casing are connected with each other through the connecting member. The at least one positioning post is aligned with the at least one positioning hole, located beside the at least one fixing hook, and inserted into the at least one positioning hole, so that the surface of the printing device casing is not in contact with the stapling device casing. 
     In an embodiment, the printing device includes a printing device casing, a sheet input tray, a second exit, a second conveying channel, plural second conveying roller assemblies, and a printing module. The sheet input tray is located at a bottom of the printing device casing for placing the plural paper sheets thereon. The second exit is formed in the printing device casing, wherein the plural paper sheets are exited out of the printing device casing through the second exit. The second conveying channel is arranged between the sheet input tray and second first exit for allowing the plural paper sheets to go through. The plural second conveying roller assemblies are disposed in the second conveying channel for moving the plural paper sheets along the second conveying channel. The printing module is disposed in the second conveying channel for printing the plural paper sheets. 
     The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic side view illustrating a conventional stapling device for use with a printing device; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic side view illustrating the conventional stapling device of  FIG. 1 , in which a paper jam event occurs within the stapling device; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic exploded view illustrating a stapling device for use with a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is schematic exploded view illustrating a connecting member of the stapling device and a printing device casing of the printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and taken along another viewpoint; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic side view illustrating the stapling device and the printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic perspective view illustrating a channel base plate of the stapling device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the channel base plate is in a sheet-feeding position; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic side view illustrating the stapling device and the printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a paper jam event occurs within the stapling device; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic perspective view illustrating the channel base plate of the stapling device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the channel base plate of is moved to a jam-releasing position; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic side view illustrating the stapling device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the channel base plate of is in the jam-releasing position; and 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic perspective view illustrating a connecting mechanism between the stapling device and the printing device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and taken along another viewpoint. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     For eliminating the drawbacks encountered from the prior art, the present invention provides a stapling device for use with a printing device. The stapling device has a stapling device casing. The stapling device casing can be easily detached without the need of using an additional tool. 
     Please refer to  FIGS. 3 and 4 .  FIG. 3  is a schematic exploded view illustrating a stapling device for use with a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4  is schematic exploded view illustrating a connecting member of the stapling device and a printing device casing of the printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and taken along another viewpoint. In  FIG. 3 , a stapling device casing  31  of a stapling device  3 , a connecting member  30  of the stapling device  3  and a printing device  4  are shown. The printing device  4  is used for printing images on plural paper sheets P* (see  FIG. 5 ). The stapling device  3  is used for stapling the plural paper sheets P* from the printing device  4 . The connecting member  30  is disposed on the stapling device casing  31  of the stapling device  3 . Through the connecting member  30 , the stapling device casing  31  and the printing device casing  41  of the printing device  4  are combined together. 
     In addition to the stapling device casing  31  and the connecting member  30 , the stapling device  3  further comprises an entrance  32  and a first exit  33  (see  FIG. 3 ). The entrance  32  is formed in the stapling device casing  31 , and located near the printing device  4 . The plural paper sheets P* outputted from the printing device  4  may be introduced into the stapling device casing  31  through the entrance  32 . The first exit  33  is formed in the stapling device casing  31  for allowing the plural paper sheets P* to go through, so that the plural paper sheets P* are exited out of the stapling device  3  through the first exit  33 . In addition, the dimension of the first exit  33  is designed to allow a user&#39;s finger to be inserted thereto (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     Please refer to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The printing device  4  comprises a second exit  42 . The second exit  42  is formed in a surface  413  of the printing device casing  41  for allowing the plural paper sheets P* to go through, so that the plural paper sheets P* are exited out of the printing device casing  41  through the second exit  42 . Moreover, the printing device casing  41  comprises at least one positioning hole  411  and at least one fixing recess  412  corresponding to the at least one positioning hole  411 . The at least one positioning hole  411  is exposed to the surface  413  of the printing device casing  41 . The at least one fixing recess  412  is exposed to the surface  413  of the printing device casing  41 , and located beside the corresponding positioning hole  411 . The connecting member  30  comprises at least one fixing hook  301  and at least one positioning post  302 . The at least one fixing hook  301  is aligned with the at least one fixing recess  412 . In addition, the at least one fixing hook  301  is located at a side of the connecting member  30 , and may be swung relative to the connecting member  30 . The at least one fixing hook  301  is inserted into the corresponding fixing recess  412 , and engaged with the fixing recess  412 . Consequently, the connecting member  30  is fixed on the printing device casing  41 , and the stapling device casing  31  and the printing device casing  41  are connected with each other through the connecting member  30 . The at least one positioning post  302  is aligned with the at least one positioning hole  411 , and located beside the at least one fixing hook  301 . Moreover, the at least one positioning post  302  is inserted into the at least one positioning hole  411 , so that the surface  413  of the printing device casing  41  is not in contact with the stapling device casing  31 . In this embodiment, the connecting member  30  is a frame structure. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic side view illustrating the stapling device and the printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The connection between the stapling device casing  31  and the printing device casing  41  will be illustrated with reference to  FIG. 5 . Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the surface  413  of the printing device casing  41  is separated from a surface  311  of the stapling device casing  31  by a gap. Due to the gap between the printing device casing  41  and the stapling device casing  31 , the plural paper sheets P* can be smoothly transmitted from the second exit  42  of the printing device casing  41  to the entrance  32  of the stapling device casing  31 . It is noted that the distance between the printing device casing  41  and the stapling device casing  31  should be elaborately controlled. If the distance between the printing device casing  41  and the stapling device casing  31  is too small or too large, the plural paper sheets P* fail to be smoothly transmitted to the entrance  32  of the stapling device casing  31  or the plural paper sheets P* fail to be introduced into the entrance  32 . In an embodiment, the distance between the printing device casing  41  and the stapling device casing  31  is obtained by undue experiments. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic perspective view illustrating a channel base plate of the stapling device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the channel base plate is in a sheet-feeding position. Please refer to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . In addition to the above components, the stapling device  3  further comprises a first conveying channel  34 , a channel base plate  35 , a feed roller assembly  36 , a first conveying roller assembly  37 , a stapling module  38 , and at least one supporting structure  39 . The first conveying channel  34  is arranged between the entrance  32  and the first exit  33  for allowing the plural paper sheets P* to go through. The channel base plate  35  is located at a bottom side of the first conveying channel  34 . Moreover, the channel base plate  35  has a movable contact plate  351 . The movable contact plate  351  is used for contacting the plural paper sheets P* within the first conveying channel  34 . By poking the movable contact plate  351 , the movable contact plate  351  is movable relative to the channel base plate  35 . Moreover, the movable contact plate  351  has a pushing slice  3511 . The pushing slice  3511  is used for contacting the plural paper sheets P* within the first conveying channel  34 . In this embodiment, the pushing slice  3511  is integrally formed with the movable contact plate  351 . 
     The feed roller assembly  36  is disposed in the first conveying channel  34  and located near the entrance  32  for transporting the plural paper sheets P* into the first conveying channel  34 . The first conveying roller assembly  37  is disposed on the channel base plate  35  and located near the first conveying channel  34 . By the first conveying roller assembly  37 , the plural paper sheets P* are moved along the first conveying channel  34 . The stapling module  38  is disposed within the stapling device casing  31  and located over the first exit  33  for stapling the plural paper sheets P*. The at least one supporting structure  39  is located near the first exit  33 , and located beside the first exit  33 . After the plural paper sheets P* are departed from the channel base plate  35 , the plural paper sheets P* are supported on the at least one supporting structure  39 . Next, the plural paper sheets P* may be stapled by the stapling module  38 . 
     Please refer to  FIG. 5  again. In addition to above components, the printing device  4  further comprises a sheet input tray  43 , a second conveying channel  44 , plural second conveying roller assemblies  45 , and a printing module  46 . The sheet input tray  43  is located at a bottom of the printing device casing  41  for placing the plural paper sheets P* thereon. The second conveying channel  44  is arranged between the sheet input tray  43  and the second exit  42  for allowing the plural paper sheets P* to go through. The plural second conveying roller assemblies  45  are disposed in the second conveying channel  44  for moving the plural paper sheets P* along the second conveying channel  44 . The printing module  46  is disposed in the second conveying channel  44  for printing images on the plural paper sheets P*. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 5  again. A process of using the printing device  4  to print images on the plural paper sheets P* and using the stapling device  3  to staple the plural paper sheets P* will be illustrated in more details as follows. Firstly, the plural paper sheets P* are placed on the sheet input tray  43 . Then, the plural paper sheets P* are successively transported into the second conveying channel  44  by the plural second conveying roller assemblies  45 . When the plural paper sheets P* are moved along the second conveying channel  44  and transported across the printing module, the images are printed on the plural paper sheets P*. After the plural paper sheets P* are printed, the printed paper sheets P* are continuously transported by the plural second conveying roller assemblies  45  and moved along the second conveying channel  44 . Then, the plural paper sheets P* are exited out of the printing device casing  41  through the second exit  42 . 
     After the plural paper sheets P* are exited out of the printing device casing  41 , plural paper sheets P* are introduced into the stapling device  3  through the entrance  32 , which is formed in the stapling device casing  31 . Then, the plural paper sheets P* are transported by the feed roller assembly  36  to be fed into the first conveying channel  34 , and the plural paper sheets P* are moved along the first conveying channel  34 . Next, the plural paper sheets P* are contacted with the first conveying roller assembly  37  and the movable contact plate  351 , which are disposed on the channel base plate  35 . Consequently, the plural paper sheets P* are transported toward the first exit  33  by the first conveying roller assembly  37 . Moreover, after the plural paper sheets P* are departed from the channel base plate  35 , the plural paper sheets P* are contacted with and supported on the at least one supporting structure  39 , which is located beside the first exit  33 . Next, the plural paper sheets P* on the supporting structure  39  are stapled by the stapling module  38 . After the plural paper sheets P* are stapled, the user&#39;s finger may be inserted into the first exit  33  to remove the plural paper sheets P* from the supporting structure  39 . The process of smoothly transmitting the plural paper sheets P* through the printing device  4  and the stapling device  3  has been described as above. 
     Hereinafter, a way of eliminating the paper jam event of the plural paper sheets P* will be illustrated with reference to  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9 .  FIG. 7  is a schematic side view illustrating the stapling device and the printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a paper jam event occurs within the stapling device. After one of the plural paper sheets P* is printed by the printing device  4  and transmitted to the stapling device  3 , the paper sheet P* is possibly jammed between the first conveying roller assembly  37  and the movable contact plate  351 . For removing the jammed paper sheet P*, the user&#39;s finger may be inserted into the first exit  33  to poke the movable contact plate  351  of the channel base plate  35 , so that the movable contact plate  351  is moved from a sheet-feeding position P 1  (see  FIG. 5 ) to a jam-releasing position P 2  (see  FIGS. 8 and 9 ). The jam-releasing position P 2  is located near the first exit  33 . Moreover, during the movable contact plate  351  is poked and moved relative to the channel base plate  35 , the jammed paper sheet P* is pushed by the pushing slice  3511  of the movable contact plate  351  to the position near the first exit  33 . Meanwhile, the user&#39;s finger may be inserted into the first exit  33  to be contacted with the jammed paper sheet P*. After the jammed paper sheet P* is removed, the paper jam event is eliminated. Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 8 , when the movable contact plate  351  is moved to the jam-releasing position P 2 , the at least one supporting structure  39  is located at a side of the movable contact plate  351 . 
     After paper jam event is eliminated, the user may push the movable contact plate  351  to have the movable contact plate  351  move relative to the channel base plate  35 . When the movable contact plate  351  is moved from the jam-releasing position P 2  to the sheet-feeding position P 1 , the paper sheets P* can be smoothly transmitted along the first conveying channel  34  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
     However, those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. For example, the connecting mechanism between the stapling device and the printing device may be altered according to the practical requirements.  FIG. 10  is a schematic perspective view illustrating a connecting mechanism between the stapling device and the printing device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and taken along another viewpoint. In  FIG. 10 , a connecting member  50  and a printing device  6  are shown. The configurations of the stapling device are identical to those of the above embodiment, and are not redundantly described herein and not shown in  FIG. 10 . Moreover, the printing device  6  comprises at least one connecting piece  60  and a printing device casing  61 . The at least one connecting piece  60  is disposed on a surface  613  of the printing device casing  61  to be connected with a connecting member  50  of the stapling device. Moreover, the connecting piece  60  comprises a positioning hole  601  and a fixing recess  602 . The positioning hole  601  is exposed to the surface  613  of the printing device casing  61 . The fixing recess  602  is exposed to the surface  613  of the printing device casing  61 , and located beside the positioning hole  601 . The connecting member  50  comprises at least one fixing hook  501  and at least one positioning post  502 . The fixing hook  501  is aligned with the fixing recess  612 . In addition, the fixing hook  501  is located at a side of the connecting member  50 , and may be swung relative to the connecting member  50 . The fixing hook  501  is inserted into the corresponding fixing recess  601 , and engaged with the fixing recess  601 . Consequently, the connecting member  50  is fixed on the printing device casing  61 , and the stapling device and the printing device casing  61  are connected with each other through the connecting member  50 . The positioning post  502  is aligned with the positioning hole  601 , and located beside the fixing hook  501 . Moreover, the positioning post  502  is inserted into the positioning hole  601 , so that the surface  613  of the printing device casing  61  is not in contact with the stapling device. The configurations of other components of the printing device  6  are similar to those of the above embodiment, and are not redundantly described herein. 
     In this embodiment, the printing device  6  further comprises the connecting piece  60 , and the connecting piece  60  comprises the positioning hole  601  and the fixing recess  602 . That is, the printing device casing has no positioning hole and no fixing recess to be connected with the connecting member. By attaching the connecting piece  60  on the surface  613  of the printing device casing  61 , the user may easily combine the connecting member  50  with the printing device  6  without the need of punching holes in the printing device casing  61 . Moreover, in some other embodiments, the connecting member is not necessarily a frame structure. For example, the connecting member may be a screwing means, and the printing device casing and the stapling device casing may be combined together by the screwing means. 
     From the above description, the present invention provides a stapling device for use with a printing device. A channel base plate is located at a bottom side of the conveying channel of the stapling device. The channel base plate has a movable contact plate. By poking the movable contact plate, the movable contact plate may be moved relative to the channel base plate. Even if a paper jam event occurs within the stapling device, the movable contact plate may be moved to a jam-releasing position which is touchable by the user&#39;s finger. Consequently, the user can easily remove the jammed paper sheet the without the need of using an additional tool. Moreover, since the stapling device casing is an L-shaped casing, only a part of the rear surface and a part of the top surface of the printing device casing are the overlapping region between the stapling device casing and the printing device casing. That is, since the stapling device casing is not just disposed over the printing device casing, the overall height of the stapling device and the printing device can be reduced. 
     While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.