Patent ID: 8321981

Claim:
A stapler comprising: a head, the head comprising: a staple dispenser configured to dispense a staple from the stapler in a first direction 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; and a handle attached to the head that permits the stapler to be swung, generally along a swing plane, like a hammer to drive staples dispensed from the staple dispenser, wherein the blade extends from the head in a second direction, the second direction being substantially opposite from the first direction such that the blade and the cutting edge thereof extend generally within a cutting plane that is co-planar with or parallel to the swing plane; and an actuator that is (i) coupled to the blade carriage, (ii) disposed on the handle, and (iii) is configured such that the retraction and extension of the blade with respect to the head is controllable by engaging the actuator.