Patent ID: 8096217

Claim:
A base for a paper punch, including: an upper body member with a front end and a rear end; a lower body member with a front end and a rear end; at least a first and a second bifurcated members, both fixedly secured with said upper body member and said lower body member; and at least a first and a second leg member, each with a forward end and a rearward end; wherein said front end of said lower body member is spaced apart from said front end of said upper body member, to form an opening adapted to allow insertion of at least a piece of paper for punching therein; wherein said rear end of said upper body member is fixedly joined with said rear end of said lower body member; wherein each of said first and second bifurcated members consist of an upper fork member and a lower fork member which are spaced apart from each other at a front end and fixedly joined with each other at a rear end; wherein the front ends of said upper fork members of said bifurcated members are fixedly secured with a respective lateral side of said upper body member; wherein the front ends of said lower fork members of said bifurcated members are fixedly secured with a respective lateral side of said lower body member, the space between the upper fork member and the lower fork members corresponding to the opening between the upper body member and the lower body member for allowing insertion of the piece of paper therein, rearward portions of the upper fork members and the lower fork members extending rearwardly away from the upper body member and lower body member, such that the rear ends of the fork members are spaced away therefrom; wherein said forward ends of said leg members are fixedly secured to either or both of said upper body member and said lower body member; wherein said rearward end of said first leg member is fixedly secured to said rear end of said first bifurcated member, and said rearward end of said second leg member is fixedly secured to said rear end of said second bifurcated member; wherein said upper body member, said lower body member, said bifurcated members and said leg members are integrally formed with one another; wherein at least part of said first leg member is separated from said first bifurcated member by a first space; wherein a rib member is fixedly secured with said upper fork member of said first bifurcated member, said first leg member and said upper body member; and, wherein a rib member is fixedly secured with said lower fork member of said first bifurcated member, said first leg member and said lower body member.