Patent Abstract:
A stapler capable of dispensing staples therefrom and comprising a head and a handle. The head comprises a staple dispenser configured to dispense a staple from the stapler when a compressive force is applied to the staple dispenser, and a blade carriage that carries a blade and is configured such that the blade is extendable from the head of the stapler and is retractable into the head of the stapler. The handle is attached to the head, and permits the stapler to be swung like a hammer to drive staples dispensed from the staple dispenser.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a stapler that includes a staple dispenser for dispensing staples and a blade carriage that secures a blade. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Typically, staplers have a variety of uses in construction, manufacturing, and other fields. Many of these fields also call for at least occasional use of a knife or knives, such as a utility knife. However, past attempts to combine the functionality of a stapler with a knife have resulted in devices that are unwieldy to operate, particularly when switching between stapling and cutting. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the invention relates to a stapler. In one embodiment, the stapler comprises a head and a handle. The head comprises a staple dispenser configured to dispense a staple from the stapler when a compressive force is applied to the staple dispenser, and a blade carriage that carries a blade and is configured such that the blade is extendable from the head of the stapler and is retractable into the head of the stapler. The handle is attached to the head, and permits the stapler to be swung like a hammer to drive staples dispensed from the staple dispenser. 
     Another aspect of the invention relates to a stapler. In one embodiment, the stapler comprises a head and a handle. The head comprises a staple dispenser configured to dispense a staple from the stapler when a compressive force is applied to the staple dispenser, and a blade carriage that carries a blade and is configured such that the blade is extendable from the head of the stapler. The handle that extends from the head. In some instances, the staple dispenser and the blade carriage are provided by the head such that the user can switch between using the staple dispenser and the blade by rotating the stapler about an axis that extends longitudinally along the handle. 
     Another aspect of the invention relates to a stapler. In one embodiment, the stapler comprises a head and a handle. The head comprises a staple dispenser configured to dispense a staple from the stapler when a compressive force is applied to the staple dispenser, and a blade carriage that carries a blade, the blade carriage being movable within the head between a first carriage position at which the blade is extended from the head and a second carriage position at which the blade is retracted within the head. In some instances, the blade is removable from the blade carriage. The handle attached to the head, and permits the stapler to be swung like a hammer to drive staples dispensed from the staple dispenser. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a stapler, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the positioning of a blade carriage within a stapler, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the positioning of a blade carriage within a stapler, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the positioning of a blade carriage within a stapler, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an actuator disposed on a stapler, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the relationship between an actuator disposed on a handle of a stapler and a sliding element within the handle of the stapler, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a blade carriage, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a head of a stapler, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates the positioning of a blade carriage within a stapler, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates the positioning of a blade carriage within a stapler, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates the operation of a safety mechanism of a stapler, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates the operation of a safety mechanism of a stapler, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates the operation of a safety mechanism of a stapler, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a stapler  10 , according to one embodiment of the invention. Stapler  10  includes a head  12  and an elongated handle  14 . Head  12  includes a head body  16  and an outer plate  18 . Outer plate  18  is attached to head body  16  via one or more fasteners  20 . Outer plate  18  is shaped so as to provide an outer housing on one side of head  12 . On a side of head  12  adjacent to the side of outer plate  18 , a staple dispenser  22  is provided. Staple dispenser  22  is configured to dispense a staple from stapler  10  when a compressive force is applied to staple dispenser  22 . On a side of head  12  opposite from staple dispenser  22 , outer plate  18  and head body  16  form a slot  24 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , handle  14  is attached to head  12  such that a user can grasp stapler  10  about handle  14  and swing stapler  10  like a hammer to drive staples dispensed from staple dispenser  22 . Handle  14  includes a housing  26  that forms a grip for the user to grasp. Housing  26  protectively covers the inner-workings of handle  14 . At an end of handle  14  opposite the attachment to head  12 , a reloadable staple cartridge  28  is accessible. Reloadable staple cartridge  18  enables a supply of staples to be introduced into stapler  10 , and holds the staples in place within handle  14  and head  12  such that the staples can be dispensed from staple dispenser  22 . An actuator  30  is disposed on handle  14 . In one embodiment, actuator  30  is disposed on handle  14  on the same side of stapler  10  as staple dispenser  22 . A release mechanism  32  is disposed on handle  14  as well. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a side elevation of stapler  10  with outer plate  18  removed from head  12  to reveal a head body housing  33 . As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , head  12  includes a blade carriage  34  disposed within head  12  between head body housing  33  and outer plate  18 . Blade carriage  34  includes a pair of opposing plates  36  and  38  which hold a blade  40  securely therebetween. Blade carriage  34  is coupled to actuator  30  via a sliding element  42  that is connected to actuator  30  and a link  44  that is pivotally attached to each of blade carriage  34  and sliding element  42 . Sliding element  42  is disposed within head body  16  and housing  26 , and is visible in the view shown in  FIG. 2  through an opening  46  in head body housing  33 . Link  44  is coupled to sliding element  42  within head body housing  33 , and extends out of head body housing  33 , via opening  46 . 
     In  FIG. 2 , blade carriage  34  is positioned at its default, or “rest,” position. At the rest position of blade carriage  34 , blade carriage  34  is seated on a carriage stop  48  that protrudes out from head body housing  33 . Also, at the rest position of blade carriage  34 , blade  40  is retracted within head  14 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 3 , blade carriage  34  is movable within head  12  from the rest position shown in  FIG. 2  to an “in use” position, at which blade carriage  34  is slid toward slot  24  between outer plate  18  and head body housing  33 . At the in use position of blade carriage  34 , blade  40  extends out of head  12  through slot  24  and can be used to cut material, or for other purposes suitable for a utility knife. 
     As is illustrated in  FIG. 3 , blade carriage  34  is actuable between the rest position shown in  FIG. 2  and the in use position shown in  FIG. 3  by engaging actuator  30 . More specifically, if actuator  30  is engaged and driven along handle  14  toward head  12 , sliding element  42  is also driven in the same direction within housings  26  and  33  (as is discussed further below), which in turn causes link  44  to thrust blade carriage toward slot  24  in the manner illustrated. When blade carriage  34  is positioned in the in use position, the user is able to use stapler  10  as a utility knife. As can be appreciated from  FIG. 3 , the configuration of staple dispenser  22  and slot  24  enable the user to switch between using staple dispenser  22  and blade  40  by simply rotating stapler  10  in the user&#39;s hand about an axis running longitudinally along handle  14  and engaging (or disengaging) actuator  30 . Further, it can be seen that actuator  30  is provided to enable the user to conveniently engage actuator  30  with his thumb while using stapler  10  as a utility knife (e.g., with blade carriage  34  in the in use position). 
       FIG. 4  is an elevation view of stapler  10  with outer plate  18  removed that shows blade carriage  34  returning from the in use position to the rest position. More specifically,  FIG. 4  shows that as actuator  30  is moved back along handle  14  away from head  12 , sliding element  42  is likewise retracted back into handle  14 , which causes link  44  to draw back to carriage stop  48 , thereby retracting blade  40  back into head  12 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a view of handle  14  that shows an opening  50  in handle housing  26  that forms a track for actuator  30 . As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , opening  50  is L-shaped, with the long length of the “L” running longitudinally along handle  14 . When actuator  30  is positioned at a first position located at the distal end of the short length of the “L,” the sliding element  42  is retracted back into handle  14 , and blade carriage  34  is positioned at the rest position. When the user engages actuator  30  and moves actuator  30  from the first position to a second position at the distal end of the long length of the “L” (the position shown in  FIG. 5 ), sliding element  42  is actuated within handle  14  and head  12  and drives blade carriage  34  from the rest position to the in use position (as illustrated in  FIG. 3 ). The “L” shape of opening  50  provides a safety mechanism in that when actuator  30  is at the first position, the use is not able to move actuator  30  by simply sliding actuator  30  longitudinally along handle  14  without first sliding actuator  30  transverse to handle  14 . 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional side elevation of handle  14  of stapler  10 . The view shown in  FIG. 6  illustrates the mechanical relationship between actuator  30  and sliding element  42 . As can be seen, actuator  30  is directly attached to sliding element  42  such that anytime actuator  30  is moved, sliding element  42  is moved, and vice versa. Additionally,  FIG. 6  shows a biasing mechanism  52  (e.g., a spring, etc.) that is attached to sliding element  42  at an attachment point  54 . Biasing mechanism  52  applies a bias to sliding element  42  away from head  12 . This bias applied by biasing mechanism  52  also effectively biases actuator  30  into the first position described above, and biases blade carriage  34  into the rest position (shown in  FIG. 2 ), by virtue of the couples between sliding element  42  and actuator  30 , and sliding element  42  and blade carriage  34 , respectively. Although not shown in  FIG. 6 , the end of biasing mechanism  52  opposite the end that is attached to sliding element  42  is attached to housing  26 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of blade carriage  34  and blade  40 . More particularly,  FIG. 7  illustrates a reverse view of blade carriage  34  from the views shown in  FIGS. 2-4  (i.e., in  FIG. 7 , plate  38  is shown as the outer plate). As can be seen in  FIG. 7 , blade carriage  34  includes a release tab  56  formed as a ridge extending outward from plate  38  at an angle substantially perpendicular to plate  38 . As is discussed further below, release tab  56  operates as a trigger that, when actuated, frees blade from engagement with blade carriage  34  such that blade  40  can be removed (and/or replaced) from between plates  36  and  38  when a force is applied to release tab  56  in a direction away from blade  40 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a more detailed view of the outer surface of head body housing  33 , with outer plate  18  and blade carriage  34  removed. As can be seen, opening  46  is formed with a first portion  58  that extends in a direction that is generally parallel with handle  14 , and a second portion  60  that runs transverse to handle  14  and generally in the direction of the path of blade carriage  34  between the rest position and the in use position described above (and shown in  FIGS. 2-4 ). The shape and directions of portions  58  and  60  of opening  46  enable link  44  to guide blade carriage  34  between the rest and in use positions in response to the movement of sliding element  42  within housings  26  and  33 .  FIG. 8  also illustrates a pair of guide ridges  62  and  64  that protrude out from the surface of head body housing  33 . Guide ridges  62  and  64  define the path of blade carriage  34  between the rest and in use positions, and serve to guide blade carriage between outer plate  18  and head body housing  33 . A release ridge  66  also protrudes out from the surface of head body housing  33 . As will be described in greater detail below, release ridge  66  is configured to engage release tab  56  of blade carriage  34  to enable the user to remove (and/or replace) blade  40 . 
       FIG. 9  is an elevation view of head  12  with outer plate  18  removed, and showing blade carriage  34  and blade  40  as transparent objects, in order to illustrate various mechanisms of operation of stapler  10 . In the view shown in  FIG. 9 , blade carriage  34  is positioned between guide ridges  62  and  64  in the in use position, with blade  40  extending out of head  12  at slot  24 . As can be seen, in this position release tab  56  of blade carriage  34  stops just short of engaging release ridge  66  such that release ridge  66  is displaced with respect to blade carriage  34 . However, opening  46  is formed to allow sliding element  42  to slide further into head  12  from its position when blade carriage  34  is in the in use position. This would in turn drive blade carriage  34  further away from the rest position and further toward slot  24 . Additionally, returning briefly to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , it can be seen that when actuator  30  is located at the second position within opening  50  (as described above), opening  50  is formed to enable the user to move actuator  30  still further toward head  12 . Coming back now to  FIG. 9 , by moving actuator  30  out of the second position shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , and further toward head  12 , sliding element  42  is slid further into head  12 . 
     By way of illustration,  FIG. 10  shows an elevation view of head  12  similar to that of  FIG. 9 . However, in the depiction of stapler  10  shown in  FIG. 10 , sliding element  42  has been slid to edge of portion  58  of opening  46 . As can be seen, this drives blade carriage  34  to a blade release position where blade carriage  34  is thrust further toward slot  24  than when blade carriage  34  is in the in use position of  FIG. 9 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , moving blade carriage  34  to this blade release position causes release ridge  66  to engage release tab  56  of blade carriage  34  with enough force to displace release ridge  66  with respect to blade carriage  34 . 
     As was mentioned above, this effectuates the release of blade  40  from blade carriage  34 . More particularly, release ridge  66  is formed from a resiliently flexible material, such as spring steel for instance, and is fixed to plate  38  in a cantilevered arrangement by one or more fasteners  65 . At an end of release ridge  66  opposite from the end that is fixed to plate  38  by fasteners  65 , a protrusion  67  extends into a blade slot  69  formed in blade  40 . The interlocking relationship of protrusion  67  with slot  69  retains blade  40  within blade carriage  34 . The engagement between release ridge  66  and release tab  56  causes release ridge  66  to flex about the engagement between release ridge  66  and plate  38  such that protrusion  67  is removed from slot  69 , thereby freeing blade  40  to be removed from and/or replaced in blade carriage  34  by the user through slot  24 . 
     In order to guard against the user inadvertently moving blade carriage  34  from the in use position shown in  FIG. 9  to the blade release position shown in  FIG. 10 , stapler  10  includes a safety mechanism. The operation of this mechanism is illustrated in the perspective view of  FIG. 11 . In  FIG. 11 , handle  14  is depicted with a portion of housing  26  removed to reveal a movable stop  68 . Stop  68  is configured to be movable between a stop position and a release position.  FIG. 11  shows stop  68  in stop position, where stop  68  engages a flange  70  formed on sliding element  42  when blade carriage  34  is in the in use position (shown, e.g., in  FIG. 9 ). The engagement between stop  68  and flange  70  impedes further movement of sliding element  42  toward head  12  that would drive blade carriage  34  to the blade release position (shown in  FIG. 10 ) in the manner described above. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates the movement of stop  68  from the stop position to the release position. At the release position stop  68  is displaced toward the center of handle  14  such that stop  58  clears flange  70 , thereby enabling sliding element  42  to slide further toward head  12  and drive blade carriage  34  from the in use position to the blade release position. The movement of stop  68  from the stop position, which is the default position of stop  68 , to the release position is accomplished by the user by engaging release mechanism  32  (see  FIG. 1 ) and pressing release mechanism  32  into handle  14 . In one embodiment, release mechanism  32  is directly coupled to stop  68 . 
     As was stated above, the movement of stop  68  to the release position enables sliding element  42  to slide further toward head  12 . This is illustrated further in  FIG. 13 . As can be seen in  FIG. 13 , as sliding element  42  is driven further toward head  12 , flange  70  comes along side of stop  68  and holds stop  68  in the stop position until sliding element  42  returns to the position shown in  FIG. 11 , at which point, stop  68  returns to its default position (the stop position). 
     It can thus be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention have now been fully and effectively accomplished. The foregoing embodiments have been provided to illustrate the structural and functional principles of the present invention, and are not intended to be limiting. To the contrary, the present invention is intended to encompass all modifications, alterations and substitutions within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1