Patent Description:
In the related art, a stapler configured to strike a staple into a sheet bundle to stitch the sheet bundle is used. In particular, since an electric stapler capable of automatically striking a staple into a sheet bundle does not require a force for stitching and has excellent operability, it is widely used to stitch a large amount of the sheet bundle, for example. An electric stapler disclosed in PATENT LITERATURE <NUM> includes a magazine configured to accommodate staples. The magazine has a structure surrounded by sidewalls and a tip end wall and opened upward. When loading staples into the magazine, the opening of the magazine is exposed from the main body (the magazine protrudes forward) and staples are loaded from the opening. <CIT> relates to a stapler having a box-like casing. This document discloses the preamble of claim <NUM>. <CIT> relates to a stapler movable between a rest position and a stapling position. <CIT> relates to an electric stapler to prevent legs of a bent staple from being caught by a clincher when drawing out stapled sheets. <CIT> relates to another electrically driven stapler.

However, for example, in a state where the magazine is exposed from the main body, when the stapler is tilted, inverted, dropped and the like, the staples are scattered from the opening of the magazine.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a stapler capable of making it difficult for a staple to pop out of a magazine and to be scattered around even when the stapler is tilted or the like in a state where the magazine is exposed from a main body.

The present invention relates to a stapler according to claim <NUM>. The dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments.

According to the present disclosure, even when the magazine is located at the second position at which it protrudes from the main body, the cover is set to the third position, so that the surrounding (the pair of sidewalls, the tip end wall and the opening) of the magazine protruding from the main body is covered by the cover. For this reason, even when the stapler is tilted or the like in a state where the magazine is exposed (protrudes) from the main body, the staples in the magazine are difficult to be scattered around.

Hereinbelow, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an electric stapler <NUM> in a state where a cover in accordance with the present embodiment is closed, <FIG> and <FIG> are perspective views of the electric stapler <NUM> in a state where the cover <NUM> is opened, <FIG> are perspective views of a magazine <NUM> in accordance with the present embodiment, <FIG> is a perspective view depicting an internal configuration of the electric stapler <NUM>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> are side sectional view of the electric stapler <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> depict operations of an unlocking mechanism <NUM> in accordance with the present embodiment. <FIG> is a plan view of a stitch position adjusting part <NUM> in accordance with the present embodiment. <FIG> is a side view of a drive unit of the electric stapler <NUM> in accordance with the present embodiment. <FIG> and <FIG> depict operations of a cover opening/closing detector <NUM> in accordance with the present embodiment. <FIG> depicts a state of the electric stapler when the magazine in accordance with the present embodiment is not locked.

Note that, in an electric stapler <NUM> in accordance with the present embodiment shown in <FIG> and the like, a side on which an insertion opening 12c for inserting a sheet bundle to a stitch position is provided is referred to as a front side of the electric stapler <NUM>, and an opposite side thereto is referred to as a rear side of the electric stapler <NUM>. A side on which a release button <NUM> for pulling out a magazine <NUM> from a main body <NUM> is provided is referred to as an upper side of the electric stapler <NUM>, and an opposite side thereto is referred to as a lower side of the electric stapler <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> or <FIG>, the electric stapler <NUM> in accordance with the present embodiment includes a main body <NUM>, and a cover <NUM> configured to cover a part of the main body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the main body <NUM> is a cuboid-shaped box body having a front surface 12w, an upper surface 12V, a left side surface 12x, a right side surface (not shown) and the like. An insertion opening 12c for inserting a sheet bundle to a stitch position is provided below the front surface 12w of the main body <NUM>. A lower side (lower surface) of the insertion opening 12c further protrudes forward than the insertion opening 12c so that the sheet bundle can be easily placed (set) thereon when inserting the sheet bundle into the insertion opening 12c.

The front surface 12w of the main body <NUM> is formed with a pullout opening 12d above the insertion opening 12c, and a magazine <NUM> for accommodating staples and a driver <NUM> for striking out the staples accommodated in the magazine <NUM> are provided inside of the pullout opening. A clincher <NUM> configured to receive and bend leg portions of the staple penetrating the sheet bundle set in the insertion opening 12c by a striking operation of the driver <NUM> is provided below the magazine <NUM> with the insertion opening 12c being positioned therebetween.

The upper surface 12V of the main body <NUM> is provided with a release button <NUM> for pulling out the magazine <NUM> from the main body <NUM> (pullout opening 12d). As shown in <FIG>, when the release button <NUM> is pushed, the magazine <NUM> protrudes from the main body <NUM>. A stitch position adjusting part <NUM> for adjusting a stitch position in a front and rear direction is provided below the left side surface 12x of the main body <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the stitch position adjusting part <NUM> is provided at each of a left side part and a right side part of the main body <NUM>. The upper surface 12V of the main body <NUM> is provided with an accommodation part 12f in which a coupled staple of a plurality of staples coupled to each other, a package in which a plurality of coupled staples is accommodated, and the like can be accommodated.

Note that, herein, as shown in <FIG>, a position of the magazine <NUM> in a state where the magazine is set in the main body <NUM> and staples S in the magazine <NUM> can be struck by the driver <NUM> may be described as a first position, and as shown in <FIG>, a position of the magazine <NUM> in a state where the magazine <NUM> protrudes from the main body <NUM> (pullout opening 12d) may be described as a second position. Note that, the second position may be any position at which the magazine <NUM> protrudes from the main body <NUM>, and an amount of protrusion does not matter. That is, the second position includes not only a position at which a majority of the magazine <NUM> protrudes, as shown in <FIG>, but also a position at which the magazine slightly protrudes.

The cover <NUM> is rotatably attached to the main body <NUM> via a hinge part <NUM> provided at a rear end portion and an attachment part <NUM> provided at the rear of the upper surface 12V of the main body <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, when the cover <NUM> is rotated upward and thus opened, the front surface 12w and the upper surface 12V of the main body <NUM> are exposed, and when the cover <NUM> is closed, the front surface 12w and the upper surface 12V of the main body <NUM> are covered by the cover <NUM> (refer to <FIG>). Note that, after the cover <NUM> is closed, when the cover <NUM> is slid rearward, convex portions 26a and 26b provided to the cover <NUM> fit with mounting holes 12i (only one mounting hole is shown) provided to the main body <NUM>, so that the cover <NUM> is locked to the main body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the magazine <NUM> is an elongated box body having a bottom wall 40d, a pair of sidewalls 40a and 40b (a left sidewall 40a and a right sidewall 40b) erected from the bottom wall 40d and facing each other, and a tip end wall 40c connecting tip end edges of the left sidewall 40a and the right sidewall 40b, and opened upward (having an opening 40e). A lower portion of the tip end of the magazine <NUM> is formed with a striking-out opening <NUM> spanning a boundary edge between the tip end wall 40c and the bottom wall 40d. When struck by the driver <NUM>, the staple S in the magazine <NUM> is struck out downward toward the sheet bundle via the striking-out opening <NUM>.

The left sidewall 40a and the right sidewall 40b of the magazine <NUM> are formed with a pair of first groove 41a and second groove 41b notched from a base end portion toward the tip end-side. The first groove 41a and the second groove 41b are engaged with a main pin <NUM> provided to the main body <NUM>, and the first groove 41a and the second groove 41b move relative to the main pin <NUM> in the front and rear direction, so that the magazine <NUM> moves in the front and rear direction. As shown in <FIG>, when the main pin <NUM> is positioned at tip end portions of the first groove 41a and the second groove 41b, the magazine <NUM> is located at the first position. The magazine <NUM> also rotates in the upper and lower direction about the main pin <NUM> as a support point. In the magazine <NUM>, a pusher <NUM> for pressing the staple toward the striking-out opening <NUM> is provided. When the magazine <NUM> is located at the first position, the opening 40e is covered by a magazine cover <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, and the like, a magazine holder <NUM> configured to support the magazine <NUM> so that the magazine <NUM> can be inserted and pulled out is provided outside of the magazine <NUM>. The main pin <NUM> is inserted at a substantially central portion of the magazine holder <NUM> in the front and rear direction, so that the magazine holder <NUM> rotates about the main pin <NUM> as a support point, together with the magazine <NUM>. In the magazine <NUM>, a compression spring <NUM> for urging the pusher <NUM> toward the striking-out opening <NUM> is provided.

A compression spring <NUM> for urging forward the magazine <NUM> is arranged between a rear end portion of the magazine holder <NUM> and a rear end portion of the magazine <NUM>, so that when the magazine <NUM> is unlocked, the magazine <NUM> is pushed forward and thus protrudes forward from the main body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, and the like, the driver <NUM> is located above the magazine <NUM> and can move toward the staple in the magazine <NUM> when the magazine <NUM> is located at the first position. When the driver <NUM> moves toward the staple, the staple is struck into the sheet bundle set below the magazine <NUM>. The driver <NUM> is configured by a flat plate attached to a tip end portion of a driver arm <NUM> extending in the front and rear direction of the magazine <NUM> and extending downward from the tip end portion of the driver arm <NUM>. The driver <NUM> is attached to the driver arm <NUM> so as to intersect with, for example, to be orthogonal to a plane of the sheet bundle when striking the staple into the sheet bundle. When striking the staple into the sheet bundle, a front end face of the driver <NUM> presses a crown portion of the staple to strike out the staple. The driver <NUM> is configured to be movable toward and away from the magazine <NUM> in conjunction with rotation of the driver arm <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a handle arm <NUM> formed of a flat plate having a U-shaped section is provided above the driver arm <NUM>. The handle arm <NUM> is provided overlapping the driver arm <NUM> with a predetermined interval from the driver arm <NUM>. A rear end portion of the handle arm <NUM> is rotatably supported by the main pin <NUM>.

A compression spring <NUM> for absorbing a change in moving amount of the driver arm <NUM> due to a thickness of the sheet bundle is provided on a front end-side and above the handle arm <NUM>.

A coil spring <NUM> is arranged between a front end portion of the driver arm <NUM> (driver <NUM>) and a front end portion of the magazine <NUM>. The coil spring <NUM> is set to have stronger elastic force than a coil spring <NUM>, and urges upward the driver <NUM> and the driver arm <NUM> with respect to the magazine <NUM> so that the driver <NUM> can stand by above the striking-out opening <NUM> of the magazine <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, and the like, when the magazine <NUM> is located at the first position, the clincher <NUM> is arranged below the magazine <NUM> and positioned to face the driver <NUM>, and receives and bends the leg portions of the staple penetrating the sheet bundle by the striking operation of the driver <NUM>. An upper surface of the clincher <NUM> is formed with a groove portion that functions as a guide for bending inward both the leg portions of the staple along a backside of the sheet bundle. The clincher <NUM> is accommodated in an opening 32a formed at a front end portion of a clincher guide <NUM> so that it can swing in the upper and lower direction.

A clincher arm <NUM> is provided below the magazine <NUM> and outside of the clincher guide <NUM>. A rear end portion of the clincher arm <NUM> is rotatably supported by the main pin <NUM>.

A coil spring <NUM> is arranged between the rear end portion of the clincher arm <NUM> and the rear end portion of the magazine <NUM>. The coil spring <NUM> urges upward the magazine <NUM> with respect to the clincher arm <NUM>. Thereby, a predetermined space for inserting the sheet bundle, i.e., the insertion opening 12c is formed between the clincher <NUM> and the striking-out opening <NUM> of the magazine <NUM>.

The cover <NUM> is configured to be displaceable between a third position (refer to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, and the like) at which at least a part of the cover <NUM> is positioned on a moving path of the magazine <NUM> and a fourth position (refer to <FIG> and <FIG>, and the like) at which the entire cover <NUM> deviates from the moving path of the magazine <NUM>. As used herein, the "moving path of the magazine <NUM>" means a locus through which the magazine <NUM> passes when moving between the first position at which the magazine <NUM> is inserted into the main body <NUM> and the second position at which the magazine protrudes from the main body <NUM>, and the description "at least a part of the cover <NUM> is positioned on the moving path of the magazine <NUM>" means a state in which at least a part of the cover <NUM> blocks the moving path of the magazine <NUM> and the magazine <NUM> cannot thus further move forward. Therefore, the "third position" may be any position at which the cover <NUM> blocks the moving path of the magazine <NUM>, and the cover <NUM> is not necessarily required to be completely closed at the third position. Similarly, the "fourth position" may be any position at which the cover <NUM> does not exist on the moving path of the magazine <NUM>. In other words, at the fourth position, the magazine <NUM> is in a state in which it can move up to the maximum protrusion position without being blocked by the cover <NUM>, and the cover <NUM> is not necessarily required to be completely opened, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, and the like, in the present embodiment, the cover <NUM> has a substantially L-shaped side shape and a substantially U-shaped section. With such shape, when the cover <NUM> is closed, more specifically, when the cover <NUM> is located at the third position, the upper surface 12V and the front surface 12w and parts of the right side surface and the left side surface 12x of the main body <NUM> can be covered with a bent tip end part of the cover <NUM>. The upper surface 12V and the front surface 12w and parts of the right side surface and the left side surface 12x of the main body <NUM> are covered, so that even if the magazine <NUM> protrudes from the main body, it is possible to cover the left sidewall 40a, the right sidewall 40b, the tip end wall 40c and the opening 40e of the magazine <NUM>, i.e., substantially the entire magazine <NUM> by the cover <NUM>. For this reason, even when the magazine <NUM> protrudes from the main body <NUM> in a state where the cover <NUM> is located at the third position, the staples in the magazine <NUM> are not scattered around. Note that, the hinge part <NUM> for opening and closing the cover <NUM> is provided with a pressing part <NUM> for turning on a cover opening/closing detector <NUM>, which will be described later. According to the present embodiment, since the cover <NUM> is simply opened and closed about the hinge part <NUM> and the like as a support point, it is possible to move the cover <NUM> between the third position and the fourth position with a simple configuration. That is, it is possible to simplify the structure and to reduce the number of components. In addition, since the cover <NUM> is simply opened and closed in the upper and lower direction, it is possible to implement movement between the third position and the fourth position with a simple operation.

In the present embodiment, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, when the cover <NUM> is located at the third position, a distance L between a front wall 20w of the cover <NUM> facing the tip end wall 40c of the magazine <NUM> and a stitch position in a moving direction of the magazine <NUM> at which the sheet bundle is stitched with a staple by the driver <NUM> and the clincher <NUM> is set to <NUM>.

In an electric stapler of the related art, a distance between an end face of an insertion opening and a stitch part is set extremely short (for example, <NUM>) so as to rapidly stitch a sheet bundle and to make a size of an entire device (particularly, a size in the front and rear direction) compact. However, when the distance is short, even if an object (which is not limited to a sheet) is inserted by a small amount through the insertion opening, the object is detected, so that stitch processing is performed. As a result, for example, when an object other than a sheet is erroneously inserted, it is detected, so that the stitch processing may be unintentionally performed. Therefore, in order to solve the problem, the distance from the end face of the insertion opening to the stitch part is preferably set long. However, as described above, the stitch processing cannot be quickly performed and the size of the entire device becomes large. Therefore, the inventors have devoted themselves to examining a distance of solving the tradeoff, i.e., suppressing an object from being unintentionally stitched, not impairing promptness of the stitch processing and not increasing the size of the device as much as possible. As a result, the inventors found out that the distance is preferably <NUM> to <NUM> when stitching about <NUM> to <NUM> sheets, <NUM> to <NUM> when stitching <NUM> to <NUM> sheets, and <NUM> to <NUM> when stitching <NUM> to <NUM> sheets.

In the present embodiment, the cover <NUM> is provided to cover the insertion opening 12c, so that the distance L from the front wall 20w of the cover <NUM> to the stitch part is set to <NUM>.

In this way, the distance L is set within the range from <NUM> to <NUM> according to the number of sheets for which the stitch processing can be performed, so that it is possible to suppress the object from being unintentionally stitched, not to impair the promptness and not to increase the size of the device as much as possible. In the present embodiment, when the cover <NUM> is located at the third position, the cover <NUM> is located in front of an entry of the insertion opening 12c. Therefore, it is possible to lengthen the distance L from the entry of the insertion opening 12c to the stitch position by a thickness of the cover <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the electric stapler <NUM> includes a lock mechanism <NUM> for locking the magazine <NUM> at the first position in the main body <NUM>, and an unlocking mechanism <NUM> for releasing a locked state of the magazine <NUM> by the lock mechanism <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and the like, the lock mechanism <NUM> has a lock part <NUM> provided at the rear of the magazine <NUM> and configured to lock the magazine <NUM> at the first position, and a compression spring <NUM> for urging the lock part <NUM> to a position at which the magazine <NUM> is locked.

The lock part <NUM> has a substantially U-like side shape opened forward and has a hook 82a provided at a lower end portion, an engaged portion 82b provided at an upper end portion and a connection portion 82c for connecting the hook 82a and the engaged portion 82b. A long hole 82d extending substantially in the front and rear direction is formed on a lower part-side of the connection portion 82c. The main pin <NUM> is inserted in the long hole 82d, and the lock part <NUM> can rotate about the main pin <NUM> as a support point. The compression spring <NUM> is arranged above the long hole 82d of the connection portion 82c, and expands and contracts to urge rearward the connection portion 82c according to a state of the lock part <NUM> that is tilted by pressing on the release button <NUM>.

The hook 82a is configured to fit in an opening <NUM> formed in a bottom surface of the magazine <NUM>, and fits in the opening <NUM> to lock the magazine <NUM> at the first position and to keep a state in which the magazine <NUM> is accommodated in the main body <NUM>. The engaged portion 82b extends from the connection portion 82c toward an engaging part <NUM>, and a tip end portion thereof is in contact with a lower surface of the engaging part <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, when the magazine <NUM> is located at the first position at which it is accommodated in the main body <NUM> in a state before the release button <NUM> is pressed by a user, an upper part of the connection portion 82c is urged rearward by the compression spring <NUM>, so that the hook 82a is urged toward the magazine <NUM> about the main pin <NUM> as a support point. Thereby, the state where the hook 82a is fitted in the opening <NUM> of the magazine <NUM> is maintained, and the magazine <NUM> is locked at the first position by the hook 82a. The first position is a position at which the magazine <NUM> is locked by the lock part <NUM>.

In contrast, when pulling out the magazine <NUM> from the main body <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the user moves the cover <NUM> from the third position to the fourth position, and then presses the release button <NUM>. In conjunction with this, the engaging part <NUM> integrally formed with the release button <NUM> is moved downward, so that the engaged portion 82b of the lock part <NUM> is pressed downward. The lock part <NUM> is rotated in a counterclockwise direction about the main pin <NUM> as a support point, so that the compression spring <NUM> is compressed. The hook 82a is moved downward away from the magazine <NUM> and is disengaged from the opening <NUM> of the magazine <NUM>, so that the locked state of the magazine <NUM> by the lock mechanism <NUM> is released. Thereby, the magazine <NUM> is pushed forward of the main body <NUM> by the urging force of the compression spring <NUM>. The magazine <NUM> is moved from the first position to the second position, so that the tip end-side of the magazine <NUM> protrudes from the front wall of the main body <NUM>. The second position is a position at which the magazine <NUM> is not locked by the lock part <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, and the like, the unlocking mechanism <NUM> is a mechanism for pulling out the magazine <NUM> forward of the main body <NUM> when loading staples in the magazine <NUM>, for example. The unlocking mechanism <NUM> includes the release button <NUM>, a connection part <NUM> attached to a lower surface of the release button <NUM> and extending in the upper and lower direction, and the engaging part <NUM> attached to a lower end portion of the connection part <NUM> and to be engaged with the engaged portion 82b of the lock mechanism <NUM>. Note that, in the present embodiment, the release button <NUM>, the connection part <NUM> and the engaging part <NUM> are integrally formed. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The release button <NUM> is arranged on the upper surface of the main body <NUM> at the rear of the accommodation part 12f, and is located inside of the cover <NUM> when the cover <NUM> is located at the third position. Thereby, only when the cover <NUM> is located at the fourth position at which it is opened, a user's pressing operation on the release button <NUM> can be received. A lower side of the connection part <NUM> is formed with a long hole 73a extending in the upper and lower direction, a shaft <NUM> is inserted in the long hole 73a, and the connection part <NUM> is configured to be movable along the long hole 73a about the shaft <NUM> as a support point. Thereby, when the release button <NUM> is pressed by the user, the release button <NUM> is pushed down with respect to the upper surface of the main body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, and the like, a motor <NUM> is provided above the magazine <NUM> at the rear in the main body <NUM>. The motor <NUM> is a drive source of the electric stapler <NUM>, and is configured by a DC brushless motor, for example. A variety of wires of the motor <NUM> are connected to a controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> includes a substrate on which an electronic component (which will be described later) is mounted and a control circuit is formed, for example, and is arranged at the rear of the motor <NUM> in the main body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and the like, a gear <NUM> is connected to a rotary shaft 112a of the motor <NUM>, a gear <NUM> is connected to the gear <NUM>, and a cam <NUM> is connected to a rotary shaft of the gear <NUM>. Thereby, a rotational force of the motor <NUM> is transmitted to the cam <NUM> via the gear <NUM> and the gear <NUM>. The cam <NUM> is arranged substantially above the handle arm <NUM>, and is contacted to an upper surface of the handle arm <NUM> according to a rotating angle of the cam <NUM>, thereby pressing down the driver arm <NUM> and the handle arm <NUM>, etc. toward the clincher <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG> and the like, the electric stapler <NUM> includes a cover opening/closing detector <NUM> configured to detect a state where the cover <NUM> is located at the fourth position with respect to the main body <NUM> and a state where the cover <NUM> is located at the third position with respect to the main body <NUM>. The cover opening/closing detector <NUM> corresponds to an example of the detector, is mounted on the substrate of the controller <NUM>, and is arranged at a position facing the pressing part <NUM> when the cover <NUM> is located at the third position (refer to <FIG>).

The cover opening/closing detector <NUM> includes a first switch pressing part <NUM>, a second switch pressing part <NUM>, and a switch <NUM>. The first switch pressing part <NUM> is formed by a plate spring, for example, and is arranged overlapped in front of the second switch pressing part <NUM>. The second switch pressing part <NUM> is configured by a spring, for example, and is arranged in front of the switch <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, when the cover <NUM> is rotated from the fourth position to the third position and is slid further rearward to the lock position, the first switch pressing part <NUM> and the second switch pressing part <NUM> are pressed by the pressing part <NUM> of the cover <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Thereby, the second switch pressing part <NUM> is tilted rearward and the switch <NUM> is turned on. Note that, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the switch <NUM> may also be turned on and off by opening and closing the cover <NUM>.

The switch <NUM> is configured by a micro switch, for example. When the switch <NUM> is turned on by the second switch pressing part <NUM>, it generates a closing signal, which indicates that the cover <NUM> is closed, and outputs the same to the controller <NUM>. When the closing signal is supplied from the switch <NUM>, the controller <NUM> switches the electric stapler <NUM> from a stitch-inoperable state to a stitch-operable state. In this way, in the present embodiment, the cover opening/closing detector <NUM> functions as a so-called interlock, and the stitch processing of the electric stapler <NUM> cannot be executed unless the cover <NUM> moves to the third position, which is the lock position.

As shown in <FIG>, in a state where the magazine <NUM> is not locked by the lock part <NUM>, the magazine <NUM> is urged forward by the compression spring <NUM> (refer to <FIG>), so that the magazine <NUM> is moved from the first position to the second position and protrudes forward from the main body <NUM>. In this state, when it is intended to move the cover <NUM> from the fourth position to the third position, the lower end portion of the cover <NUM> collides and interferes with the upper surface of the magazine <NUM> protruding from the main body <NUM>, so that the cover <NUM> cannot be moved to the third position. Thereby, since the cover <NUM> cannot be moved to the lock position, the cover opening/closing detector <NUM> functioning as an interlock cannot be turned on. As a result, since the electric stapler <NUM> cannot be switched to an operation start state, it is possible to prevent a situation where the stapler operates in a state where the magazine <NUM> is not normally locked and a staple is not ejected from the magazine and is thus deformed to cause a jamming.

The stitch position adjusting parts <NUM> have pressing portions 102a and 102b provided on the right and left sides of the main body <NUM>, support portions 104a and 104b for elastically supporting the pressing portions 102a and 102b, and two sheet guides 108a and 108b for abutting against a tip end portion of the sheet bundle. Note that, in the below, since the stitch position adjusting parts <NUM> have the common configuration on the right and left sides and operate in conjunction with each other on the right and left sides, the configuration on the left side may be described for convenience.

The pressing part 102a is configured by a button for the user to press and move in the front and rear direction when adjusting a stitch position on the sheet bundle, and is provided to protrude from an opening <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) formed in the left side surface 12x of the main body <NUM>.

The support portion 104a is configured by a plate spring formed by bending a flat plate into a substantial U-shape, and an outer end portion 104a1 is urged toward and abutted against the left side surface 12x of the main body <NUM>. The pressing part 102a is attached on an outer surface-side of the support portion 104a, so that the support portion 104a is elastically deformed according to a pressing operation on the pressing portion 102a. The outer surface-side of the support portion 104a is also formed with a convex portion 106a that can be fitted with a plurality of concave portions <NUM> formed on an inner side of the left side surface 12x of the main body <NUM>.

The sheet guide 108a is provided in front of the support portion 104a, and is abutted against the tip end portion of the sheet bundle inserted from the insertion opening 12c. At the rear of the sheet guide 108a, a sheet bundle detector <NUM> configured to start a stitch processing operation in conjunction with an operation of the sheet guide 108a is provided. When the tip end portion of the sheet bundle abuts against the sheet guide 108a, the sheet bundle detector <NUM> is turned on to generate an on-signal, which is then output to the controller <NUM>.

When the user adjusts the stitch position, the user presses the left and right pressing portions 102a and 102b to disengage the convex portions 106a and 106b from the concave portions <NUM>. In this state, the user moves the sheet guides 108a and 108b to a targeted stitch position, and then releases the pressing on the pressing portions 102a and 102b. Thereby, the convex portions 106a and 106b are again fitted with the concave portions <NUM>, so that the sheet guides 108a and 108b can be set to the targeted stitch position.

<FIG> is a block diagram depicting a functional configuration of the electric stapler <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the electric stapler <NUM> includes the controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) having arithmetic and control functions and a memory such as a ROM (Read only memory) and a RAM (Random access memory), for example. The controller <NUM> is connected to the cover opening/closing detector <NUM>, the sheet bundle detector <NUM> and the motor <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is configured to control rotation of the motor <NUM>, based on a closing signal supplied from the cover opening/closing detector <NUM> and a setting completion signal supplied from the sheet bundle detector <NUM>.

Subsequently, an example of a stitch operation of the electric stapler <NUM> in accordance with the present embodiment is described. <FIG> is a flowchart depicting an example of operations when the stitch processing operation of the electric stapler <NUM> is executed. Note that, it is assumed that a power supply of the electric stapler <NUM> is on and the cover <NUM> is located at the fourth position with respect to the main body <NUM>, i.e., the cover <NUM> is in an opened state.

When the cover <NUM> is operated from the fourth position to the third position by the user, the cover <NUM> is closed with respect to the main body <NUM>. In this state, when the cover <NUM> is slid to the lock position, the convex portions 26a and 26b of the cover <NUM> are fitted in the mounting holes 12i of the main body <NUM>. Thereby, the cover <NUM> is locked with respect to the main body <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, when the cover <NUM> is moved to the lock position, the first switch pressing part <NUM> and the second switch pressing part <NUM> configuring the cover opening/closing detector <NUM> are pressed rearward by the pressing part <NUM> of the cover <NUM>. Thereby, the switch <NUM> is turned on and a closing signal is supplied to the controller <NUM>. When the controller <NUM> is supplied with the closing signal from the switch <NUM> and determines that the cover opening/closing detector <NUM> is turned on, the controller <NUM> switches the electric stapler <NUM> from a stitch-inoperable state to a stitch-operable state (step S10 in <FIG>).

Subsequently, when a sheet bundle is inserted into the insertion opening 12c of the main body <NUM> by the user, a tip end face of the sheet bundle is abutted against the sheet guides 108a and 108b. Thereby, the sheet guides 108a and 108b are moved rearward, so that the sheet bundle detector <NUM> is turned on and a setting completion signal indicating setting completion of the sheet bundle at the stitch position is supplied to the controller <NUM>.

When the controller <NUM> receives the setting completion signal, the controller <NUM> determines that the sheet bundle detector <NUM> is turned on, and controls a drive circuit and the like so as to generate a drive signal for driving the motor <NUM> (step S20 in <FIG>). The motor <NUM> rotates under control of the controller <NUM> (step S30 in <FIG>). The rotation of the motor <NUM> causes the cam <NUM> to rotate in the counterclockwise direction via the gear <NUM> and the gear <NUM>. In the present embodiment, while the cam <NUM> rotates one revolution, the stitch processing operation is executed one time.

Specifically, while the cam <NUM> rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the handle arm <NUM> is pressed downward by the cam <NUM>, so that the driver arm <NUM> and the driver <NUM> are moved downward. In conjunction with this, the magazine <NUM> is moved downward and the staple loaded in the magazine <NUM> is struck out by the driver <NUM> and is then struck into the sheet bundle placed on a placing base 12e. The staple struck in the sheet bundle penetrates the sheet bundle in a thickness direction, and the leg portions of the staple are bent inwardly along a backside of the sheet bundle by the clincher <NUM>. Thereby, the sheet bundle is stitched by the staple.

When the cam <NUM> further rotates, the pressing force on the handle arm <NUM> gradually decreases according to a rotating angle of the cam <NUM>. When the cam <NUM> is spaced from the upper surface of the handle arm <NUM>, the handle arm <NUM>, the driver arm <NUM> and the driver <NUM> are moved upward and return to the original initial positions.

The cover <NUM> is not limited to the present embodiment. For example, the cover <NUM> may rotate in the right and left direction (for example, a rotation support point of the cover <NUM> may be provided at a left end or a right end and the cover <NUM> may be displaced between the third position and the fourth position by rotating the cover <NUM> in the right and left direction), not in the upper and lower direction. In addition, the cover <NUM> may be slid in the right and left direction or the like for opening and closing, not the rotation. Also, the cover <NUM> may be configured to be detachably attached to the main body <NUM>. The cover <NUM> may also be provided in plural, not one. The attachment position, more specifically, the rotation support point of the cover <NUM> may be provided at a front end portion of the upper surface 12V of the main body <NUM>, for example, not the rear end portion of the upper surface 12V of the main body <NUM>. In this way, the cover <NUM> can be provided at a place where the cover <NUM> can be configured to be displaceable between the third position at which it is positioned on the moving path of the magazine <NUM> and the fourth position at which it deviates from the moving path. That is, when the cover <NUM> can be configured to be displaceable between the third position on the moving path of the magazine <NUM> and the fourth position deviating from the moving path of the magazine <NUM>, the attachment structure, the attachment position and the like of the cover <NUM> are not limited to the specific shape and structure.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the cover <NUM> is arranged at the third position on the moving direction in which the magazine <NUM> protrudes forward from the main body <NUM>, the pair of left sidewall 40a and right sidewall 40b and the tip end wall 40c of the magazine <NUM> moving to the second position can be covered by the cover <NUM>. Thereby, even when the locked state of the magazine <NUM> is suddenly released due to tilting, falling and the like of the electric stapler <NUM>, the magazine <NUM> can be prevented from protruding forward from the main body <NUM>. As a result, the staples loaded in the magazine <NUM> can be prevented from being scattered around.

In the present embodiment, the release button <NUM> is arranged inside of the cover <NUM>. Therefore, the release button <NUM> cannot be operated unless the cover <NUM> is opened at the fourth position. Thereby, since the release button <NUM> is not exposed, unlike the related art, it is possible to prevent the release button <NUM> from being erroneously operated while carrying the electric stapler <NUM>, for example. As a result, it is possible to prevent the magazine <NUM> from unintentionally protruding forward of the main body <NUM>.

According to the present embodiment, when the magazine <NUM> is not locked at the first position, the magazine <NUM> protrudes forward of the main body <NUM>. For this reason, for example, even if the user forgets to accommodate the magazine <NUM> into the main body <NUM> after loading the staples in the magazine <NUM>, when closing the cover <NUM>, the cover <NUM> collides with the protruding magazine <NUM> and cannot move to the third position. Thereby, when performing the stitch processing, the user can visually recognize and easily check whether the magazine <NUM> is locked to the main body <NUM>. Also, since it is not necessary to provide a sensor for detecting whether the magazine <NUM> is locked to the main body <NUM>, it is possible to reduce the cost of the electric stapler <NUM>.

According to the present embodiment, since the magazine <NUM> can be positioned by abutting the magazine <NUM> against the main pin <NUM>, the magazine <NUM> is positioned by sizes of the first groove 41a and the second groove 41b, and the like. Thereby, unlike the electric stapler of the related art where it is necessary to control the size of the magazine <NUM> by two components, for example, according to the present embodiment, it is sufficient to control only the sizes of the components of the magazine <NUM>, so that it is possible to increase a size tolerance for one component. As a result, it is possible to suppress the management cost and the cost of the electric stapler <NUM> itself.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the electric stapler <NUM> in a state where the cover <NUM> in accordance with a modified embodiment is opened, and <FIG> is a side sectional view of the electric stapler <NUM> in accordance with the modified embodiment. Note that, the constitutional elements having substantially the same functional configurations as the electric stapler <NUM> of the embodiment are denoted with the same reference signs, and the overlapping descriptions thereof are omitted.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a magazine restraint part <NUM> that can abut against the tip end wall 40c of the magazine <NUM> configured to move between the first position and the second position may be provided on an inner surface of the front wall 20w of the cover <NUM>. The magazine restraint part <NUM> corresponds to an example of the restraint part, and is configured by a convex part protruding from the inner surface of the front wall 20w of the cover <NUM> toward the magazine <NUM>. A surface facing the magazine <NUM> is provided at a slight gap from the tip end wall 40c of the magazine <NUM> located at the first position. The gap G is set within a range in which even when an unlocking force is applied to the magazine <NUM>, the magazine restraint part <NUM> can abut against the tip end wall 40c of the magazine <NUM> moving forward to restrain an amount of forward protrusion of the magazine <NUM> and cause the magazine <NUM> to standby at the first position that is the lock position. Note that, a dimension of protrusion of the magazine restraint part <NUM> may also be defined so that the facing surface of the magazine restraint part <NUM> is to abut against the tip end wall 40c of the magazine <NUM> located at the first position. Also, in the case where the cover <NUM> is provided with the magazine restraint part <NUM>, when the cover <NUM> is closed, the magazine <NUM> does not protrude forward of the main body <NUM> even though the release button <NUM> is pushed. In this configuration, which is not according to the claims, the release button <NUM> may be arranged outside of the cover <NUM>, not inside of the cover <NUM>.

According to the present modified embodiment, the magazine restraint part <NUM> is provided on the inner surface of the front wall 20w of the cover <NUM>. Therefore, when the cover <NUM> is arranged at the third position, it is possible to cause the magazine <NUM> to standby at the first position without causing the magazine <NUM> to protrude forward of the main body <NUM>. That is, since it is possible to restrain the amount of forward protrusion of the magazine <NUM> from the main body <NUM> by the magazine restraint part <NUM>, it is possible to make a state in which the hook 82a of the lock mechanism <NUM> can always fit in the opening <NUM> of the magazine <NUM>. Thereby, even when the hook 82a of the lock mechanism <NUM> is instantaneously disengaged from the opening <NUM>, the magazine <NUM> can be again locked by the hook 82a. In addition, since poor stitch, deformation of the staple and damage of the driver <NUM> caused due to deviation of the standby position of the magazine <NUM> can be prevented, the reliability of the stitch processing can be improved.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. A variety of changes or modifications that can be conceived within the scope of the claims by one skilled in the art of the present disclosure are included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

Claim 1:
A stapler (<NUM>) comprising:
a main body (<NUM>);
a magazine (<NUM>) having a pair of sidewalls and a tip end wall and configured to be movable between a first position at which the magazine (<NUM>) is inserted in the main body (<NUM>) and a second position at which the magazine (<NUM>) protrudes from the main body (<NUM>), a staple being capable of being taken in and out from an opening formed above the pair of sidewalls and the tip end wall when the magazine (<NUM>) is located at the second position;
a driver (<NUM>) located above the magazine (<NUM>) and configured to be movable toward the staple in the magazine (<NUM>) when the magazine (<NUM>) is located at the first position, the driver (<NUM>) being configured to move toward the staple, thereby striking the staple into a sheet bundle set below the magazine (<NUM>);
a clincher (<NUM>) arranged below the magazine (<NUM>) and positioned to face the driver (<NUM>) when the magazine (<NUM>) is located at the first position, and configured to receive and bend leg portions of the staple penetrating the sheet bundle by a striking operation of the driver (<NUM>);
a cover (<NUM>) attached to the main body (<NUM>) so as to be displaceable between a third position at which at least a part of the cover (<NUM>) is positioned on a moving path of the magazine (<NUM>) and a fourth position at which the entire cover (<NUM>) deviates from the moving path;
a lock part (<NUM>) configured to lock the magazine (<NUM>) at the first position; and
a release button (<NUM>) configured to release the locked state,
wherein when the cover (<NUM>) is located at the third position and the magazine (<NUM>) is located at the second position, the cover (<NUM>) covers the pair of sidewalls, the tip end wall and the opening of the magazine (<NUM>) in a state of protruding from the main body (<NUM>), and
characterized in that
the release button (<NUM>) is located inside of the cover (<NUM>) when the cover (<NUM>) is located at the third position such that only when the cover (<NUM>) is located at the fourth position at which it is opened, a user's pressing operation on the release button (<NUM>) can be received.