Patent Description:
In a stapler for binding a sheet bundle with a staple, it is necessary to sandwich the sheet bundle set between a binding table and a unit for driving the staple, to drive the staple to penetrate the sheet bundle after fixing the state, and to bend and clinch leg portions of the staple that has penetrated the sheet bundle by a clincher.

In a stapler of the related art, in order to fix a state in which a sheet bundle is sandwiched, a convex portion of a fixing plate is slid along a guide groove, and an inclined surface of the fixing plate moved to a position corresponding to a thickness of the sheet bundle engages with a fixing pin of a table link that moves a binding table in a wedge shape.

In this way, the table link is in a locked state and the binding table cannot be opened (see <CIT>).

In the stapler described in <CIT>, after sheet bundle set between the binding table and a unit for driving a staple is sandwiched, a convex portion moves to a predetermined position and engages with a guide groove, thereby fixing this state. At this time, a distance between a position where the fixing pin of the table link abuts against the fixing plate and a clincher portion is constant regardless of the thickness of the sheet bundle to be sandwiched.

When the distance from the clincher portion to the position where the fixing pin of the table link abuts against the fixing plate is constant, a rigidity of the table link in a state where the sheet bundle is sandwiched therebetween is substantially constant. In the table link, a position of the fixing pin is set so as to maintain the rigidity that can withstand a driving load of a staple even when the driving load necessary for driving the staple into the sheet bundle is the most necessary, such as when the number of sheets to be bound by the staple is large or when the sheet is thick. That is, the table link is set to have a strength that can withstand an assumed maximum driving load. If the table link has rigidity that does not withstand the driving load of the staple, the table link may be deformed in a direction away from a driving portion while the staple penetrates the sheet bundle, and a driving operation may be completed in a state where staple crown of the staple is lifted from the sheet bundle. Therefore, a component strength is set so as not to cause such an event.

After the penetration of the staple into the sheet bundle is completed by the driving of the staple by the driving portion, leg portions of the staple penetrating the sheet bundle are bent toward the sheet bundle by an operation of the clincher portion. The excess of an operation stroke of the clincher portion that bends the leg portions is absorbed by deformation of the table link. That is, the table link is deformed in a clinching operation. The higher the rigidity of the table link is, the larger a load on a motor required to deform the table link is, so that a value of a current flowing through the motor increases.

The present disclosure provides a stapler according to claim <NUM>, capable of changing a rigidity of a table link according to a thickness of a sheet bundle.

According to an illustrative aspect of the present disclosure, the stapler includes: a driving portion configured to drive a staple into a sheet bundle; a clinch portion configured to bend a leg portion of the staple driven into and penetrating the sheet bundle; a table link configured to support the clinch portion at a position facing the driving portion and move the clinch portion in a first direction in which the clinch portion separated from and brought into contact with the driving portion; a motor configured to drive the driving portion; and a regulation portion configured to move in a second direction intersecting the first direction while abutting against the table link and regulate a movement of the clinch portion in a direction away from the driving portion. A position where the regulation portion abuts against the table link changes in a direction toward the clinch portion as the clinch portion and the driving portion are separated from each other.

In the stapler, when the regulation portion moves in a direction in which the regulation portion is separated from and brought into contact with the clinch portion, the distance from the position where the regulation portion abuts against the table link to the clinch portion changes. In the table link, when the distance from the position where the regulation portion abuts against the table link to the clinch portion is short, the rigidity is higher than when the distance is long, and the rigidity is lower as the distance is longer. That is, the rigidity of the table link is changed by changing the portion where the regulation portion abuts against the table link. Accordingly, it is possible to maintain high rigidity when the sheet bundle is thick, for example, when the number of sheets to be bound by a staple is large or when the sheet is thick, and to reduce rigidity when the sheet bundle is thin, for example, when the number of sheets is small or when the sheet is thin.

In the stapler, it is possible to change the rigidity of the table link in accordance with the number of sheets and a thickness of the sheet to be bound by a staple. Accordingly, when the number of sheets to be bound by a staple is large or when the sheet is thick, by increasing the rigidity of the table link, it is possible to prevent staple crown of the staple from lifting from the sheet bundle at a timing when the driving portion drives the staple into the sheet bundle. Further, when the number of sheets to be bound by the staple is small or when the sheet is thin, the rigidity of the table link is lowered, so that it is possible to allow deflection of the table link at a timing at which the clinch portion that bends the leg portion is operated, and to prevent an increase in a value of a current flowing through the motor.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a stapler according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

<FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> are side views illustrating an example of a stapler according to the present embodiment, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an internal configuration of a stapler <NUM>, and <FIG> illustrates an internal structure through a lock plate <NUM> to be described later. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an example of the stapler according to the present embodiment.

The stapler <NUM> includes a main body portion <NUM> and table links <NUM> movably supported by the main body portion <NUM>. The stapler <NUM> further includes the lock plates <NUM> for moving the table links <NUM> and clamp lock links <NUM> for moving the lock plates <NUM>.

In the stapler <NUM>, a cartridge <NUM> in which a staple (not illustrated) is accommodated is detachably attached to the main body portion <NUM>.

The main body portion <NUM> includes a driving portion <NUM> that drives a staple (not illustrated) accommodated in the cartridge <NUM> into a sheet bundle P. Further, the main body portion <NUM> includes a first table <NUM> for sandwiching the sheet bundle P. The first table <NUM> is constituted by a portion facing one end portion of the table link <NUM> in a housing <NUM> of the main body portion <NUM>. The first table <NUM> includes a part of the housing <NUM> when the first table <NUM> is attached to the main body portion <NUM> and a part of the cartridge <NUM> exposed to the housing <NUM>, and a passage opening 20a through which a staple (not illustrated) driven into by the driving portion <NUM> passes is exposed. The driving portion <NUM> includes a driver (not illustrated) for driving a staple, a mechanism for driving the driver, and a passage through which the staple driven by the driver passes in the cartridge <NUM>.

A clinch portion <NUM> for bending leg portions of a staple (not illustrated) penetrating the sheet bundle P is attached to the table link <NUM>. A second table <NUM> for sandwiching the sheet bundle P is attached to the table link <NUM>.

The clinch portion <NUM> and the second table <NUM> are attached to one end side of the table link <NUM> at positions where the clinch portion <NUM> and the second table <NUM> face the driving portion <NUM> and the first table <NUM>. The clinch portion <NUM> is attached at a position where the clinch portion <NUM> faces the passage opening 20a. The other end side of the table link <NUM> is rotatably supported on the main body portion <NUM> by a shaft <NUM>.

The table link <NUM> rotates about the shaft <NUM>, thereby moving the clinch portion <NUM> and the second table <NUM> along a first direction in which the clinch portion <NUM> and the second table <NUM> are separated from and brought into contact with the driving portion <NUM> and the first table <NUM> of the main body portion <NUM>. The table link <NUM> is urged by an urging member 3a such as a coil spring in a direction in which the clinch portion <NUM> and the second table <NUM> approach the driving portion <NUM> and the first table <NUM>.

When the table link <NUM> rotates about the shaft <NUM> in one direction, the clinch portion <NUM> and the second table <NUM> move in an arrow A1 direction toward the driving portion <NUM> and the first table <NUM> of the main body portion <NUM>. The arrow A1 direction is one of the first direction in which the clinch portion <NUM> and the second table <NUM> are separated from and brought into contact with the driving portion <NUM> and the first table <NUM>. When the table link <NUM> rotates about the shaft <NUM> in the other direction opposite to the one direction, the clinch portion <NUM> and the second table <NUM> move in an arrow A2 direction opposite to the arrow A1 direction and away from the driving portion <NUM> and the first table <NUM> of the main body portion <NUM>. The arrow A2 direction is the other of the first direction in which the clinch portion <NUM> and the second table <NUM> are separated from and brought into contact with the driving portion <NUM> and the first table <NUM>.

The lock plate <NUM> includes a regulation portion 30a that abuts against the table link <NUM>. The regulation portion 30a moves along a second direction intersecting with the first direction toward and away from the clinch portion <NUM>. The lock plate <NUM> is supported by the main body portion <NUM> so as to be movable along the second direction indicated by arrows B1 and B2.

The main body portion <NUM> includes frame abutting portions 22a that movably support the lock plates <NUM>. Each of the frame abutting portions 22a is provided with an elongated hole-shaped opening extending along the second direction in a frame <NUM> constituting the exterior of the main body portion <NUM>.

The lock plate <NUM> includes slide guides 30b guided by the frame abutting portion 22a. Each of the slide guides 30b is an example of a guide portion, is constituted by an oval convex portion along the second direction, and protrudes laterally from the lock plate <NUM>. In addition, the slide guides 30b are provided at a plurality of positions along the second direction, at two positions in the present embodiment.

The lock plate <NUM> is supported by the main body portion <NUM> such that the slide guides 30b are guided by the frame abutting portion 22a by fitting the slide guides 30b into the frame abutting portion 22a, and the lock plate <NUM> is movable in the arrow B1 direction in which the regulation portion 30a moves away from the clinch portion <NUM> and the arrow B2 direction in which the regulation portion 30a approaches the clinch portion <NUM> in the direction opposite to the arrow B1 direction. The arrow B1 direction is one of the second direction intersecting the first direction in which the clinch portion <NUM> and the second table <NUM> are separated from and brought into contact with the driving portion <NUM> and the first table <NUM>. The arrow B2 direction is the other of the second direction intersecting the first direction.

Since the lock plate <NUM> is provided with the slide guides 30b at two positions along the second direction, the slide guides 30b are supported by the frame abutting portion 22a at two front and rear positions along a moving direction of the lock plate <NUM>. Accordingly, the lock plate <NUM> is prevented from rotating about the one slide guide 30b or the like.

The lock plate <NUM> is provided with the regulation portion 30a in the vicinity of a center between the two slide guides 30b. Accordingly, when a force is applied to the regulation portion 30a, the force is substantially equally applied to the two slide guides 30b, and the lock plate <NUM> is prevented from rotating about the one slide guide 30b or the like. Further, wear of only one slide guide 30b can be prevented.

The table link <NUM> includes an abutting portion <NUM> against which the regulation portion 30a abuts. The abutting portion <NUM> is formed of a grooved cam that penetrates through the front and back of the table link <NUM> and has a substantially V-shaped elongated hole in which the regulation portion 30a is inserted in a direction away from the clinch portion <NUM> from one end side toward the other end side of the table link <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the abutting portion <NUM> is formed as an elongated hole inside the table link <NUM>, but an outer shape of the table link <NUM> may be formed as the abutting portion <NUM>.

When the table link <NUM> rotates about the shaft <NUM>, the abutting portion <NUM> is inclined with respect to the moving direction of the lock plate <NUM> according to a rotation angle of the table link <NUM> with respect to the main body portion <NUM>, and obliquely intersects with a movement path of the regulation portion 30a.

When the regulation portion 30a of the table link <NUM> is located at a standby position illustrated in <FIG>, the clinch portion <NUM> and the second table <NUM> are located at a standby position away from the driving portion <NUM> and the first table <NUM>. In a state where the regulation portion 30a is located at the standby position, the regulation portion 30a abuts against a surface of the abutting portion <NUM> in the arrow A2 direction, and the table link <NUM> is held at the standby position by the urging force of the urging member 3a without rotating the clinch portion <NUM> and the second table <NUM> in the direction of approaching the driving portion <NUM> and the first table <NUM>.

When the lock plate <NUM> moves in the arrow B1 direction, the regulation portion 30a moves from the standby position to push the abutting portion <NUM> of the table link <NUM> and rotates the table link <NUM> about the shaft <NUM> in cooperation with the urging force of the urging member 3a, thereby moving the clinch portion <NUM> and the second table <NUM> in the arrow A1 direction toward the driving portion <NUM> and the first table <NUM>. When the lock plate <NUM> moves in the arrow B2 direction, the regulation portion 30a moves the clinch portion <NUM> and the second table <NUM> in the arrow A2 direction away from the clinch portion <NUM> along the second direction intersecting the first direction in which the clinch portion <NUM> and the second table <NUM> are separated from and brought into contact with the driving portion <NUM> and the first table <NUM>.

Accordingly, the regulation portion 30a moves along the second direction, thereby rotating the table link <NUM> along the first direction in which the clinch portion <NUM> is separated from and brought into contact with the driving portion <NUM>. When the regulation portion 30a moves along the second direction, the position where the regulation portion 30a abuts against the abutting portion <NUM> of the table link <NUM> changes according to a distance between the clinch portion <NUM> and the driving portion <NUM>. Further, the regulation portion 30a regulates the movement of the table link <NUM> in the first direction and regulates the movement of the clinch portion <NUM> in the arrow A2 direction away from the driving portion <NUM> in a state where the position of the regulation portion 30a abutting against the abutting portion <NUM> of the table link <NUM> is changed according to the distance between the clinch portion <NUM> and the driving portion <NUM> by moving in the second direction.

The clamp lock link <NUM> is supported by the main body portion <NUM> so as to be rotatable about a shaft 31a located away from a center position of the component. The clamp lock link <NUM> includes an engagement portion 31b at a position away from the center position of the component toward a side opposite to a side supported by the shaft 31a. The engagement portion 31b protrudes from an outer periphery of the clamp lock link <NUM> in a direction opposite to the side supported by the shaft 31a. In the clamp lock link <NUM>, the engagement portion 31b reciprocates in the arrow B1 direction and the arrow B2 direction by a rotation operation about the shaft 31a. The clamp lock link <NUM> is urged by an urging member 31d such as a coil spring in a direction in which the engagement portion 31b moves in the arrow B1 direction.

The lock plate <NUM> includes an engaged portion 30c that engages with the engagement portion 31b of the clamp lock link <NUM>. The engaged portion 30c is formed by a recess having a shape with which the engagement portion 31b is engaged.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the stapler illustrating an example of a drive unit, <FIG> are perspective views of a main part illustrating the example of the drive unit, and <FIG> is a front view of a main part illustrating the example of the drive unit.

The stapler <NUM> includes a drive unit <NUM> that drives the table link <NUM>, the driving portion <NUM>, the clinch portion <NUM>, and the like. The drive unit <NUM> includes a motor <NUM> and a drive shaft <NUM> that is driven by the motor <NUM> to rotate. The drive shaft <NUM> includes clamp cams <NUM> that drive the table links <NUM>, driver clinch cams <NUM> that drive the driver (not illustrated) of the driving portion <NUM> in a staple driving direction and drive the clinch portion <NUM>, a driver return cam <NUM> that drives the driver (not illustrated) of the driving portion <NUM> in a direction opposite to the staple driving direction, and a drive gear <NUM> to which a drive force for rotating the drive shaft <NUM> is transmitted.

Each of the clamp cams <NUM> is made of sheet metal. The clamp cam <NUM> is engaged with an engagement-convex portion 31c of the clamp lock link <NUM>, and pushes the engagement-convex portion 31c by the rotation of the drive shaft <NUM> to rotate the clamp lock link <NUM>, thereby moving the lock plate <NUM> and driving the table link <NUM> via the lock plate <NUM>.

Each of the driver clinch cams <NUM> is made of resin. The driver clinch cam <NUM> is integrally formed with a cam engaging with a driver link <NUM> connected to the driver (not illustrated) of the driving portion <NUM> and a cam engaging with a clinch link <NUM> connected to the clinch portion <NUM>. In addition, the driver clinch cam <NUM> is integrally formed with a support portion 63a of the clamp cam <NUM> and a bearing portion 63b. The driver clinch cam <NUM> is press-fitted to the drive shaft <NUM>. The clamp cam <NUM> is press-fitted to the support portion 63a of the driver clinch cam <NUM>. This configuration prevents the clamp cam <NUM> and the driver clinch cam <NUM> from rattling.

The drive shaft <NUM> is provided with the drive gear <NUM> in the vicinity of a center thereof in an extending direction, and the driver return cam <NUM>, the driver clinch cam <NUM>, and the clamp cam <NUM> are provided in this order from the drive gear <NUM> on one side of the drive shaft <NUM> across the drive gear <NUM>. The driver clinch cam <NUM> and the clamp cam <NUM> are provided in this order from the drive gear <NUM> on the other side of the drive shaft <NUM> across the drive gear <NUM>.

The drive shaft <NUM> is supported by one frame <NUM> via the bearing portion 63b of one driver clinch cam <NUM> on one end side thereof in the extending direction. In addition, the drive shaft <NUM> is supported by the other frame <NUM> via the bearing portion 63b of the other driver clinch cam <NUM> on the other end side thereof in the extending direction. Accordingly, the drive shaft <NUM> is supported by the frames <NUM> on both sides thereof sandwiching the drive gear <NUM>.

The drive unit <NUM> includes a first intermediate gear <NUM> that meshes with the gear 60a of the motor <NUM>, and a second intermediate gear <NUM> that meshes with the first intermediate gear <NUM> and the drive gear <NUM>.

The first intermediate gear <NUM> is supported by the housing <NUM> on both sides in an extending direction of a shaft (not illustrated). The second intermediate gear <NUM> is supported by the frames <NUM> on both sides in an extending direction of a shaft 67a.

Accordingly, in a configuration in which each of the drive gear <NUM>, the first intermediate gear <NUM>, and the second intermediate gear <NUM> is supported on both sides of the shaft, it is possible to prevent bending of the shaft due to application of a biased force to the shaft. Further, the drive gear <NUM>, the first intermediate gear <NUM>, and the second intermediate gear <NUM> can be provided inside the left and right frames <NUM>, respectively, and the size of the stapler <NUM> can be reduced compared to a configuration in which each gear is provided outside the frames <NUM>.

<FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> are side views illustrating an example of an operation of the stapler according to the present embodiment when the number of sheets to be bound by a staple is small or when the sheet is thin, <FIG> and <FIG> show an internal configuration of the stapler <NUM>, and <FIG> shows the internal structure through the lock plate <NUM>. In addition, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> are side views illustrating an example of an operation of the stapler according to the present embodiment when the number of sheets to be bound by a staple is large or when the sheet is thick, <FIG> and <FIG> show an internal configuration of the stapler <NUM>, and <FIG> shows the internal structure through the lock plate <NUM>.

Next, the example of the operation of the stapler according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the stapler <NUM>, when the motor <NUM> rotates and the clamp cam <NUM> rotates, the clamp lock link <NUM> rotates in an arrow C1 direction about the shaft 31a in cooperation with the urging member 31d. When the clamp lock link <NUM> rotates in the arrow C1 direction, the lock plate <NUM> in which the engagement portion 31b of the clamp lock link <NUM> and the engaged portion 30c are engaged with each other moves in the arrow B1 direction.

When the lock plate <NUM> moves in the arrow B1 direction, the regulation portion 30a moving integrally with the lock plate <NUM> pushes the abutting portion <NUM> of the table link <NUM>. In the table link <NUM>, an inclined portion of the abutting portion <NUM> is pushed by the regulation portion 30a moving in the arrow B1 direction when the abutting portion <NUM> obliquely intersects the movement path of the regulation portion 30a.

In the table link <NUM>, when the abutting portion <NUM> is pushed by the regulation portion 30a in the arrow B1 direction, the clinch portion <NUM> and the second table <NUM> rotate about the shaft <NUM> in cooperation with the urging member 3a in the arrow A1 direction approaching the driving portion <NUM> and the first table <NUM>.

When the table link <NUM> rotates in the arrow A1 direction, the sheet bundle P is sandwiched between the first table <NUM> and the second table <NUM>.

When the lock plate <NUM> moves in the arrow B1 direction and the table link <NUM> rotates in the arrow A1 direction, the position where the regulation portion 30a abuts against the abutting portion <NUM> moves in the direction away from the clinch portion <NUM>. That is, the distance from the position where the regulation portion 30a abuts against the abutting portion <NUM> to the clinch portion <NUM> changes in accordance with the distance between the clinch portion <NUM> and the driving portion <NUM>.

In the stapler <NUM>, when the number of sheets to be bound by a staple is small or when the sheet is thin, the sheet bundle P sandwiched between the first table <NUM> and the second table <NUM> is thinner than when the number of sheets to be bound by a staple (not illustrated) is large or when the sheet is thick.

Accordingly, in the stapler <NUM>, when the number of sheets to be bound by a staple is small or when the sheet is thin, the distance between the clinch portion <NUM> and the driving portion <NUM> is shorter than when the number of sheets to be bound by a staple is large or when the sheet is thick.

In the stapler <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, when the distance between the clinch portion <NUM> and the driving portion <NUM> becomes shorter, a distance L1 from the position where the regulation portion 30a abuts the abutting portion <NUM> to the clinch portion <NUM> is longer than a distance L2 when the distance between the clinch portion <NUM> and the driving portion <NUM> is long, as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>.

In the stapler <NUM>, after the sheet bundle P is sandwiched between the first table <NUM> and the second table <NUM>, the motor <NUM> further rotates so that a staple (not illustrated) is driven into the sheet bundle P by an operation of the driving portion <NUM>.

In the stapler <NUM>, when the number of sheets to be bound by a staple is large, or when the sheet is thick, compared to when the number of sheets to be bound by a staple is small, or when the sheet is thin, a contact surface between the leg portion and the sheet bundle becomes large when the leg portion of the staple penetrates the sheet bundle P.

Accordingly, in the stapler <NUM>, when the number of sheets to be bound by a staple is large or when the sheet is thick, a force required to cause the leg portion of the staple to penetrate the sheet bundle P is increased during the operation of driving a staple into the sheet bundle P.

In the table link <NUM>, the regulation portion 30a abuts against the abutting portion <NUM> between the clinch portion <NUM> and the shaft <NUM>. Accordingly, when the distance from the position where the regulation portion 30a abuts against the abutting portion <NUM> to the clinch portion <NUM> is short, a rigidity of the table link <NUM> is higher than that when the distance is long.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, when the number of sheets to be bound by a staple is large or when the sheet is thick, the distance L2 from the position where the regulation portion 30a abuts against the abutting portion <NUM> to the clinch portion <NUM> is shorter than when the number of sheets to be bound by a staple is small or when the sheet is thin as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>.

Accordingly, when the number of sheets to be bound by a staple is large or when the sheet is thick, it is possible to prevent the table link <NUM> from being bent by the operation of driving the staple into the sheet bundle P by the driving portion <NUM> and to drive a staple into the sheet bundle so that staple crown of the staple is not lifted from the sheet bundle.

In the stapler <NUM>, after a staple is driven into the sheet bundle, the motor <NUM> is further rotated to bend the leg portion of the staple (not illustrated) by the operation of the clinch portion <NUM>.

In the stapler <NUM>, in the operation of bending the leg portion of the staple penetrating the sheet bundle P at the clinch portion, a force to rotate the table link <NUM> in the arrow A2 direction is applied by a reaction force of a force with which the clinch portion <NUM> presses the leg portion.

In the stapler <NUM>, the operation of the table link <NUM> that sandwiches the sheet bundle P and the operation of the clinch portion <NUM> that bends the leg portion of the staple are interlocked with each other, and the rotation of the motor <NUM> continues in a state where the sheet bundle P is sandwiched between the first table <NUM> and the second table <NUM>.

When the operation of the clinch portion <NUM> that bends the leg portion of the staple is performed in a state where the regulation portion 30a and the abutting portion <NUM> abut against each other and the rotation of the table link <NUM> in the arrow A2 direction is regulated, the force to rotate the table link <NUM> in the arrow A2 direction is applied. The excess of an operation stroke of the clinch portion <NUM> is absorbed by deformation of the table link <NUM>.

In the stapler <NUM>, a load required for deforming the table link <NUM> increases as the rigidity of the table link <NUM> increases. At this time, a load applied to the motor <NUM> via the drive unit <NUM> increases, and a value of a current flowing through the motor <NUM> increases.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, when the number of sheets to be bound by a staple is small or when the sheet is thin, the distance L1 from the position where the regulation portion 30a abuts against the abutting portion <NUM> to the clinch portion <NUM> is longer than the distance L2 when the number of sheets to be bound by a staple is large or when the sheet is thick as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>.

When the distance from the position where the regulation portion 30a abuts against the abutting portion <NUM> to the clinch portion <NUM> is long, the rigidity of the table link <NUM> is lower than that when the distance is short. When the rigidity of the table link <NUM> decreases, the table link <NUM> can be bent when the force to rotate the table link <NUM> in the arrow A2 direction is applied.

Claim 1:
A stapler (<NUM>) comprising:
a driving portion (<NUM>) configured to drive a staple into a sheet bundle (P);
a clinch portion (<NUM>) configured to bend a leg portion of the staple driven into and penetrating the sheet bundle (P);
a table link (<NUM>) configured to support the clinch portion (<NUM>) at a position facing the driving portion (<NUM>) and move the clinch portion (<NUM>) in a first direction in which the clinch portion (<NUM>) separated from and brought into contact with the driving portion (<NUM>);
a motor (<NUM>) configured to drive the driving portion (<NUM>); and
a regulation portion (30a) configured to move in a second direction intersecting the first direction while abutting against the table link (<NUM>) and regulate a movement of the clinch portion (<NUM>) in a direction away from the driving portion (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the regulation portion (30a) is further configured such that a position where the regulation portion (30a) abuts against the table link (<NUM>) changes in a direction toward the clinch portion (<NUM>) as the clinch portion (<NUM>) and the driving portion (<NUM>) are separated from each other.