Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the invention  
         [0002]     The invention generally relates to a hole-punching machine. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved hole-punching machine with a hole-punching unit that may be fitted and detached easily. The machine has the advantages of simplified manufacturing process, lower production cost, a higher efficiency in production, easy assembly, ease of use, easy maintenance (namely, if a part of the hole-punching unit is damaged, only that part needs to be replaced) and a higher economic value.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     As of now, in addition to the two-hole punching device, there are multiple-hole punching devices. Because a multiple-hole punching device has more punching pieces and needs to hold a stack of paper and set it into a neat condition, such a device has a larger and more complicated structure than a two-hole punching device. Hence, such a device has a higher production cost and a user needs to press harder when using it.  
         [0005]     In the prior art multiple-hole punching device, its punching unit is replaceable. Because the punching unit is made of iron and has a predetermined thickness, more material is needed in the production. Such a punching unit is provided with a shreds storing slot. An electricity discharge process, which takes much time and effort, is used in the manufacturing of the shreds storing slot. After the shreds storing slot is manufactured, a positioning piece has to be fitted. Hence, it takes a long time to manufacture a punching unit and the production cost of a punching unit remains quite high. Because the punching unit of a multiple-hole punching device may have different types and numbers of holes, a user has to pay a high price for a replacement punching unit.  
         [0006]     In addition, the punching unit of the prior art multiple-hole punching device is made of iron and is provided with a shreds storing slot and a paper slot; if the shreds storing slot or the paper slot is damaged during the production or when in use, the punching unit would be rendered unusable and has to be discarded.  
         [0007]     Therefore, the high production cost of the prior art punching unit needs to be reduced and the difficult manufacturing process for such a punching unit needs to be improved. Also, the prior art multiple-hole punching device needs to be made more user-friendly.  
         [0008]     To eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art, the inventor has put in a lot of effort in the subject and has successfully come up with the improved hole-punching machine of the present invention. The improved hole-punching machine of the invention has a hole-punching unit that may be fitted and detached easily and, as a result, the machine has the advantages of simplified manufacturing process, substantially lower production cost, higher efficiency in production, ease of use, easy maintenance and a higher economic value.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The object of the present invention is to provide an improved hole-punching machine. The improved hole-punching machine of the present invention comprises a housing, a motor unit, a push unit, a compression unit, a hole-punching unit and a fixing unit. The rotation generated by the motor unit (which may be either manually operated or power operated) may be passed on to the push unit, which in turn presses against the compression unit, which presses against the hole-punching unit. The hole-punching unit is detachably held in the housing by the fixing unit and may be detached from the housing when the fixing unit disengages it. The hole-punching unit comprises two balancing rods, a holes-positioning piece, two elastic pieces, a plurality of punching pieces, a first balancing piece (with a reinforcement piece), a second balancing piece (with a reinforcement piece) and a third balancing piece (with a reinforcement piece), wherein the first, second and third balancing pieces are connected together. Each of the holes-positioning piece and the reinforcement pieces have a row of holes to allow the punching pieces to go through. An elongated slot is provided on each of the first, second and third balancing pieces. An indentation area is provided on one side of each balancing piece so as to hold a reinforcement piece such that the reinforcement piece may be in flush with the corresponding balancing piece and the three balancing pieces may be joined together. Also, a gap is provided between the second balancing piece and the third balancing piece so that a stack of paper may be inserted in the gap.  
         [0010]     Therefore, the first, second and third balancing pieces (each being fitted with a reinforcement piece) may be connected together. The first, second and third balancing pieces as well as the reinforcement pieces are preferably made of aluminum; alternatively, the second and third balancing pieces are made of aluminum, but the reinforcement pieces are made of other material. Hence, the cost of the material used for the first, second and third balancing pieces as well as the reinforcement pieces is inexpensive; also, only a single stamping operation is needed to form the holes of the reinforcement pieces or the elongated slots of the balancing pieces after the balancing pieces and reinforcement pieces are formed by extrusion. Hence, the production cost of the hole-punching unit is lowered. In addition, the efficiency in production is enhanced, and a higher economic value is achieved. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The drawings disclose an illustrative embodiment of the present invention which serves to exemplify the advantages and objects hereof, and are as follows:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the hole-punching machine of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a partial sectional view showing the hole-punching machine of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a top view showing the hole-punching machine of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the hole-punching unit of the hole-punching machine of the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view showing the hole-punching unit of the hole-punching machine of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a partial sectional view showing the hole-punching unit of the hole-punching machine of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view showing the hole-punching unit of the hole-punching machine of the present invention being in use. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the hole-punching machine of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a partial sectional view showing the hole-punching machine of the present invention.  FIG. 3  is a top view showing the hole-punching machine of the present invention.  
         [0020]     The hole-punching machine of the present invention comprises a housing  1 , a motor unit  2 , a push unit  3 , a compression unit  4 , a hole-punching unit  5  and a fixing unit  6 .  
         [0021]     The motor unit  2 , the push unit  3 , the compression unit  4 , the hole-punching unit  5  and the fixing unit  6  are held in the housing  1 . The housing  1  may also include a closure type cover  11 , a protective cover  12  (which serves to protect the hole-punching unit  5 ), a shreds storing area  13 , an access opening  14  (so that the hole-punching unit  5  may enter the housing  1 ) and a gap  15  (so that a stack of paper to be punched may be placed in the gap  15 ).  
         [0022]     The motor unit  2  comprises an electric motor. The motor unit  2  is fixedly disposed in the housing  1 , and an output axle  21  connected with the motor unit  2  is pivotally connected with an inner wall of the housing  1 . The output axle  21  is connected with the push unit  3 . Alternatively, the motor unit  2  may be replaced by a manually operated device.  
         [0023]     One end of the push unit  3  is connected with the output axle  21  of the motor unit  2 , and the other end of the push unit  3  is connected with the compression unit  4 .  
         [0024]     The two ends of the compression unit  4  are fixed in the shreds storing area  13 , and the compression unit  4  has an action portion  41 . The hole-punching unit  5  may be inserted into the action portion  41 .  
         [0025]     Referring to  FIGS. 4, 5  and  6  ( FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the hole-punching unit of the hole-punching machine of the present invention;  FIG. 5  is an exploded view showing the hole-punching unit of the hole-punching machine of the present invention;  FIG. 6  is a partial sectional view showing the hole-punching unit of the hole-punching machine of the present invention), the hole-punching unit  5  comprises two balancing rods  51 , a holes-positioning piece  52 , two elastic pieces  53 , a plurality of punching pieces  54 , a retaining piece  55 , a first balancing piece  57  (with a reinforcement piece  56 ), a second balancing piece  58  (with a reinforcement piece  56 ), a third balancing piece  59  (with a reinforcement piece  56 ) and a grip piece  50 .  
         [0026]     The two balancing rods  51  are inserted into the holes-positioning piece  52 , the two elastic pieces  53 , the retaining piece  55 , the first balancing piece  57  and the second balancing piece  58 . One end of each balancing rod  51  is held on the holes-positioning piece  52 , and the other end is held on the second balancing piece  58 .  
         [0027]     The holes-positioning piece  52  is a thin plate with a row of holes  521 , which allow the punching pieces  54  to go through. One larger hole is provided on each end of the holes-positioning piece  52  to allow the two balancing rods  51  to go through.  
         [0028]     Each of the two balancing rods  51  is inserted into an elastic piece  53 . One end of each elastic piece  53  presses against the holes-positioning piece  52 , and the other end presses against the reinforcement piece  56  so that the holes-positioning piece  52  and the reinforcement piece  56  are separated by the two elastic pieces  53 .  
         [0029]     The number and shape of the punching pieces  54  may be altered according to the actual need. The punching pieces  54  are inserted into the holes-positioning piece  52 , the reinforcement piece  56  and the first balancing piece  57 . One end of each punching piece  54  is held on the holes-positioning piece  52 .  
         [0030]     The retaining piece  55  is fixed on the holes-positioning piece  52  and holds the distal end of each punching piece  54  in place.  
         [0031]     Each reinforcement piece  56  is a rectangular plate preferably made of aluminum. A larger hole is provided on each of the two ends of each reinforcement piece  56  to allow the two balancing rods  51  to go through. A row of holes  561  is provided on each reinforcement piece  56  to allow the punching pieces  54  to go through. (Four or more reinforcement pieces  56  are used in the present embodiment.)  
         [0032]     The first balancing piece  57  is a rectangular plate preferably made of aluminum. Two larger holes are provided on the first balancing piece  57  to allow the two balancing rods  51  to go through. An indentation area  571  is provided on one side of the first balancing piece  57 . An elongated slot  572  is provided on the first balancing piece  57  so that the punching pieces  54  may go through. (Two or more first balancing pieces  57  may be used in the present embodiment.)  
         [0033]     The second balancing piece  58  is a plate preferably made of aluminum. Two larger holes are provided on the second balancing piece  58  to allow the two balancing rods  51  to go through. An indentation area  581  is provided on one side of the second balancing piece  58  so as to hold a reinforcement piece  56 . The indentation area  581  is deeper than the indentation area  571  so that a stack of paper may be inserted. An elongated slot  582  is provided on the second balancing piece  58  so that the punching pieces  54  may go through. The lower portion of the second balancing piece  58  and the lower portion of the third balancing piece  59  jointly form a space  583  and  593  so as to hold a peripheral distance adjusting unit  7 .  
         [0034]     The third balancing piece  59  is a plate preferably made of aluminum and is disposed next to the second balancing piece  58 . An indentation area  591  is provided on one side of the third balancing piece  59  so as to hold a reinforcement piece  56 . The indentation area  591  is deeper than the indentation area  571  so that a stack of paper may be inserted. An elongated slot  592  is provided on the third balancing piece  59  so that the punching pieces  54  may go through. The lower portion of the second balancing piece  58  and the lower portion of the third balancing piece  59  jointly form a space  583  and  593  so as to hold the peripheral distance adjusting unit  7 .  
         [0035]     The grip piece  50  is disposed on one end of the first balancing piece  57  so that a user may use it to move the hole-punching unit  5 .  
         [0036]     The fixing unit  6  comprises a handle  61 , a connecting piece  62  and a fastening piece  63 . The upper portion of the handle  61  is outside the housing  1  so that a user may grip it. The lower portion of the handle  61  is inside the housing  1  and is connected to the connecting piece  62 . One end of the fastening piece  63  is connected with the connecting piece  62 , and the other end forms a fastening portion  631 , which may be used to fix or unfasten the hole-punching unit  5 .  
         [0037]     Now, please refer to  FIGS. 2, 3  and  6  ( FIG. 2  is a partial sectional view showing the hole-punching machine of the present invention;  FIG. 3  is a top view showing the hole-punching machine of the present invention;  FIG. 6  is a partial sectional view showing the hole-punching unit of the hole-punching machine of the present invention).  
         [0038]     We will now describe how the hole-punching machine is assembled. First, the motor unit  2  is fitted in the housing  1  and its output axle  21  is pivotally connected with an inner wall of the housing  1 . Also, the output axle  21  is connected with the push unit  3 . Hence, the rotation may be transmitted to the push unit  3  and then to the compression unit  4 . The two ends of the compression unit  4  are fixed in the shreds storing area  13 .  
         [0039]     Next, insert the reinforcement pieces  56  into the indentation area  571  and the indentation area  581  so that each reinforcement piece  56  is in flush with the corresponding balancing pieces  57  and  58 . Then, connect the first balancing piece  57  and the second balancing piece  58  (with screws or bolts). Next, connect the second balancing piece  58  with the third balancing piece  59  by lining up the indentation area  581  with the indentation area  591  so that a gap for inserting a stack of paper is provided between the reinforcement piece  56  of the second balancing piece  58  and the reinforcement piece  56  of the third balancing piece  59 . The peripheral distance adjusting unit  7  may then be placed inside the space  583  and  593 .  
         [0040]     Now, align each of the two balancing rods  51  with the corresponding larger hole provided on each end of the holes-positioning piece  52 . Then allow the two balancing rods  51  to be inserted into the holes-positioning piece  52 , the two elastic pieces  53 , the first balancing piece  57  and the second balancing piece  58  such that one end of each balancing rod  51  is held on the holes-positioning piece  52 , and the other end is held on the second balancing piece  58 . Connect the third balancing piece  59  with the second balancing piece  58 . Then, insert the punching pieces  54  into the holes  521  of the holes-positioning piece  52  and the elongated slot  572  of the first balancing piece  57 . Connect the grip piece  50  with the first balancing piece  57 . Connect the retaining piece  55  with the holes-positioning piece  52  so as to hold the distal ends of the punching pieces  54  in place. Now, the hole-punching unit  5  is assembled.  
         [0041]     Next, move the assembled hole-punching unit  5  into the housing  1  through the access opening  14  so that the holes-positioning piece  52  and the retaining piece  55  may enter the action portion  41  of the compression unit  4 ; that the first, second and third balancing pieces  57 ,  58  and  59  may be enclosed by the protective cover  12 ; and that the grip piece  50  extends out of the housing  1 . Now, rotate the handle  61  for a certain angle so as to move the fastening piece  63  via the connecting piece  62  so that the fastening portion  631  may fix the hole-punching unit  5  in place.  
         [0042]     Now, please refer to  FIGS. 7 and 2  ( FIG. 7  is a sectional view showing the hole-punching unit of the hole-punching machine of the present invention in use;  FIG. 2  is a partial sectional view showing the hole-punching machine of the present invention).  
         [0043]     We will now describe how the hole-punching machine is used. First, insert a stack of paper into the gap formed by and between the second balancing piece  58  and the third balancing piece  59 . Next, turn on the motor unit  2  (or use a manually operated device). Now, the rotation may be passed through the output axle  21  to the push unit  3 , which in turn presses against the compression unit  4 , which presses against the holes-positioning piece  52  and the retaining piece  55 , which forces the punching pieces  54  to enter the elongated slot  572  of the first balancing piece  57  and the row of holes  561  provided on the reinforcement pieces  56  of the second and third balancing pieces  58  and  59 . Now, the stack of paper is punched with a row of holes.  
         [0044]     In the hole-punching machine of the present invention, the first, second and third balancing pieces  57 ,  58  and  59  (each being fitted with a reinforcement piece  56 ) are connected together. The first, second and third balancing pieces  57 ,  58  and  59  as well as the reinforcement pieces  56  are preferably made of aluminum; alternatively, the second and third balancing pieces  57 ,  58  and  59  are made of aluminum, but the reinforcement pieces  56  are made of other material. Hence, the cost of the material used for the first, second and third balancing pieces  57 ,  58  and  59  as well as the reinforcement pieces  56  is inexpensive; also, only a single stamping operation is needed to form the row of holes  561  of reinforcement pieces  56  or the elongated slots  572 ,  582  and  592  after these pieces  56 ,  57 ,  58  and  59  are formed by extrusion. Hence, the production cost of the hole-punching unit  5  is lowered. In addition, these pieces  56 ,  57 ,  58  and  59  may be assembled easily and quickly; hence, such a hole-punching unit  5  and the hole-punching machines equipped with it may be produced swiftly and relatively efficiently. Furthermore, the production cost of such machines is lowered because the reinforcement pieces have the same size and pattern of holes and the pieces  57 ,  58  and  59  have the same kind of elongated slot.  
         [0045]     In contrast to the previously described hole-punching machine of the prior art, the hole-punching machine of the present invention is characterized as follows: (1) the pieces  56 ,  57 ,  58  and  59  of the hole-punching unit  5  are made of aluminum; (2) only a single stamping operation is needed to form the row of holes  561  of reinforcement pieces  56  or the elongated slots  572 ,  582  and  592 ; (3) the pieces  56 ,  57 ,  58  and  59  are connected together so that the strength of the hole-punching unit  5  is enhanced; (4) with the design of the hole-punching unit  5 , the cost of the material used for the pieces  56 ,  57 ,  58  and  59  is inexpensive, and the production cost of the hole-punching unit  5  is lowered; (5) the hole-punching unit  5  can be more easily fabricated and assembled than the prior art hole-punching unit; (6) the structure of the hole-punching unit  5  allows just the damaged piece to be replaced if any of the pieces  56 ,  57 ,  58  and  59  is damaged as opposed to having to replace the whole hole-punching unit for the prior art machine if this happens; and (7) the design of the hole-punching unit  5  enhances the economic value of the hole-punching machine.  
         [0046]     Many changes and modifications in the above described embodiment of the invention can, of course, be carried out without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, to promote the progress in science and the useful arts, the invention is disclosed and is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Category: b