US3218700A

US3218700A - Staple and method of and apparatus for applying it

Info

Publication number: US3218700A
Application number: US338771A
Authority: US
Inventors: Arthur Klaus
Original assignee: ELASTIC AG VORM M VOGEL AG
Current assignee: ELASTIC AG VORM M VOGEL AG
Priority date: 1963-01-19
Filing date: 1964-01-20
Publication date: 1965-11-23
Anticipated expiration: 1982-11-23
Also published as: AT265202B; SE304673B; CH417303A; DE1204623B; GB1042384A; NL302702A

Description

Nov. 23, 1965 A. KLAUS 3,218,700

STAPLE AND METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING IT Filed Jan. 20, 1964 A a SI 2 United States Patent Office Patented Nov. 23, 1965 3,218,760 STAPLE AND BETH-D OF AND APPARATUS FGR APILYEJG HT Arthur Klaus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany, assignor to Elastic Aktiengesellschaft vorrn. M. Vogei A.G., Frankfurt am Main, Germany Filed Jan. 20, 1964, Ser. No. 338,771 Claims priority, application Germany, Jan. 19, 1963, E 24,206 13 Claims. (Cl. 29-4321) The present invention relates to staples and to methods of and apparatus for stapling, and is concerned more particularly, but not exclusively, with the manufacture and closure of cardboard boxes.

General objects of the invention include providing improvements for staple constructions and for associated methods and apparatus, while more specific objects relate to the provision of improved structures and techniques which avoid the formation of enlarged holes and slots in the materials which are to be stapled so that a firm connection by the staples is assured.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of stapling employing a staple having two side limbs interconnected by a web which is folded into an intermediate shortened form, said method comprising the steps of initially guiding a portion of each of said side limbs of said staple into a workpiece, subsequently in a direction normal to the surface of the workpiece applying pressure to said web to cause said web to assume its more fully extended or elongated form, said Web in turn thereby exerting a pressure on said side limbs and urging the ends of said side limbs towards said web, and finally continuing to exert a pressure in a direction normal to the surface of the workpiece on said staple at the inner ends of said limbs to drive substantially all of said side limbs into said workpiece.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a preformed staple having a web, two side limbs interconnected by said web, said web having a folded central portion and two connecting portions disposed one at each end of said web, said central portion being so folded as to extend in the same direction as said side limbs, said connecting portions lying substantially parallel to the direction of driving movement of said staple during a stapling operation, said connecting portions and said central portion, when the latter is in its elongated form, having an aggregate length which is substantially equal to the length of the crown of said staple when the latter is driven into a workpiece.

Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a stapling apparatus including a body portion defining an ejection channel adapted to receive a staple and having a width substantially corresponding to the length of the crown of said staple, when the latter is driven into a workpiece, two driving means mounted in said channel and displaceable relative to each other and to said channel, means for operatively connecting said driving means to a pressure source, said two driving means comprising an inner driving member and an outer driving member coupled together for carrying out sequential movements in a staple driving operation, the inner driving member having a width substantially corresponding to the projection of said central folded portion of the web of said staple, and being mounted and resiliently guided in said outer driving member which defines a recess for receiving said inner driving member.

It is to be understood that by the term elongated form of the web, or any portion thereof, is meant the length of the web, or of said portion, after it has been straightened by the stapling operation and is embedded in the workpiece. By the term shortened form of the web or any portion thereof is meant the length of the web or of said portion when the staple is in its preformed state and prior to the stapling operation.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into etfect, reference will now be had, by way of example, to the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1a is a side elevation of a staple formed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 1b is an end elevation of the staple of FIG. 1a;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic front elevation of an injection channel in a stapling apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention without the cover plate thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical section through the mid-portion of FIG. 2, including the cover plate; and

FIGURES 4 to 6 are views corresponding to FIGURE 2 and showing the components of the stapling apparatus in different positions sequentially following the position shown in FIG. 2 including the diiferent positions and shapes imparted to the staple.

The staple illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 111, comprises a Web generally indicated at 1, which is shortened relative to the form it assumes upon insertion in a workpiece, the insertion being effected by two measures, as will be shown. A central portion 1a of the web 1 is, by known bending techniques, reduced to a width a. At the ends of the central portion 1a are bent-up connecting portions 1b which are parallel to each other. The connecting portions lb are provided with side limbs 2 bent over downwardly at an acute angle at corner regions 1c. In this condition, the shape of the staple is such that spacing b between the limb ends is greater than the shortened length a of the central portion 1a, the elongated length of the central portion 1a and the length of the connecting portions 1b corresponding to the length of the crown of the staple when fixed in position on the workpiece (see FIG. 6).

The method according to the invention may be carried out by means of a stapling machine such as is illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 6. These figures show (in diagrammic form) the steps necessary for carrying out the method, without dealing with constructional details of the apparatus.

FIG. 2 shows an ejection channel 3 which is laterally defined by two shoulders 4- and covered by a cover plate 5 (FIG. 3). The staples are pushed one after the other by a known feeder device into the ejection channel 3. The width of the ejection channel 3 corresponds to the elongated length of the web parts la and 1b.

Displaceably guided in the ejection channel 3 is a generally U-shaped driving member 6 which is connected with a driving block 7 (FIG. 3). Disposed in a transverse recess 8 in the block 7 is a driving rod 9 by means of which, with known driving means, the driving member 6 can be displaced for the purpose of ejecting staples 1.

Displaceably guided between limbs 1t of the driving member 6, and in the plane thereof, is a second driving member 11. Abutments 12 located between the two driving members e and 11 define the relative displacement permissible between said driving members. In this connection, the inner driving member 11 is influenced, through the intermediary of a spring 13, by the driving member 6, the tension or" the spring being such that the inner driving member 11 is positioned in the direction of movement in advance of the outer driving member 6.

With the lowering of the two driving

members

6 and 11, brought about by depression of the rod 9, the apex formed by the bending of the central portion 1a meets the workpiece into which the staple is to be inserted and is halted thereby. Meanwhile the free ends of the side limbs 2 have entered the workpiece (see FIG. 4) and, as the limbs of the driving member 6 continue downward, more of the limbsZ are forced into the workpiece. Simultaneously, the spring 13 is tensioned and exerts a supplementary pressure on the inner driving member 11 so that the latter is further lowered for the purpose of stretching the central portion 1a of the web 1. This forces the acute angle corner regions 10 of the connecting portions 1b to be displaced outwardly away from the driving member 11, and the staple and apparatus assume the position shown in FIG. 5, the corner regions 10 being guided in their downward path by contact with the lateral shoulders 4 of the ejection channel 3.

Since, in this position of the parts, the inner drive member 11 has already reached its lowermost position, further downward movement of the driving rod 9 will only move downwardly the outer driving member 6. Due to this sequential movement, the free ends of the limbs are driven the entire lengths of the side limbs into the workpiece and the web is brought to its full elongated length and the limbs 2 are folded-in under the web 1 as shown in FIG. 6.

To explore more thoroughly the relationship of the ditferent elements of the staple as illustrated in FIG. In, reference is now made to the fact that the central portion 1a of the web 1 includes a centrally located fulcrum F and two sections S1 and S2 extending away from the fulcrum and angularly related to each other, the side limbs 2 being adapted for connection to said sections, this connection being effected through connecting portions 11). It will be further noted that the connecting portions 1b are hingeably connected to the sections S1 and S2 and to the side limbs 2 for connecting the latter to the sections S1 and S2.

It will be further understood that the sections S1 and S2 with the fulcrum F define a direction D of driving movement for the staple, the connecting portions 1b being parallel to each other and to the said direction. It will be moreover understood that the side limbs 2 curve from the connecting portions in a direction which is generally aligned with the direction D.

As regards the relative length of the sections S1 and S2, these should preferably be of equal length such as to define an isosceles triangle, the base of which is indicated at B and the apex of which corresponds to the fulcrum F.

It will be moreover noted that the web and connecting portions and side limbs constitute the parts of a single continuous piece of suitable material such as metallic wire.

Attention is again directed to the fact that the side limbs are provided with pointed free-end portions E1 and E2, which are spaced apart at a distance b which exceeds the spacing a between the connecting portions 1b.

It will also be noted that the side limbs 2 are of a height H in the direction D which is less than the total length of the associated connecting portion 1]) and section S1 or S2, respectively, of the web. This is, for example, evident in FIG. 6, wherein it is seen that when the sections of the web and connecting portions are flattened, the free ends of the side limbs approach one another but do not overlap. In this connection it should be noted that the somewhat sketchy drawing is not throughout true to scale and that in particular the lengths and shapes of the different parts of the staple do not match exactly in different figures and do not exactly correspond to the definitions specified in this description which, of course, is controlling.

In addition it will be noted that the height H of the side limbs exceeds the combined height h of the isosceles triangle and connecting portions. This enables the free ends of the staple to enter into a workpiece before the fulcrum F encounters the workpiece or an anvil such that the web may be deformed to flattened condition.

As regards the driving member 10 (see FIG. 2), attention is directed to the fact that this member is provided with inclined free extremities I intended to engage the cornet regions 1c, such that appropriate displacement forces may be imparted to the connecting portions 1b.

There will now be obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications and variations of the structures and techniques set forth above. These modifications and variations will not depart from the scope of the invention it defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of stapling employing a staple having two side limbs having free outer ends and being interconnected by a web, wherein said web has a folded central portion and one connecting portion provided between each end of said central portion and a respective side limb, said connecting portions lying substantially parallel to the direction of driving movement of said staple during a stapling operation, said method comprising the step of firstly applying pressure to said central portion to flatten said folded central portion into elongated form while displacing said connecting portions outwardly at an angular position relative to said direction of driving movement and guiding the free ends of said side limbs into the workpiece, and of then applying further pressure to said displaced connecting portions to cause said connecting portions to bend outwardly until it lies substantially in a common plane with said flattened central portion.

2. A preformed staple comprising a web, two curved side limbs interconnected at one of their ends by said web, said limbs having outer free ends adapted to penetrate into a workpiece, said web including a folded central portion and two connecting portions disposed one at each end of said central portion of said web, said central portion having end sections converging toward each other in the same direction as said side limbs, said connecting portions including an obtuse angle with the respective end section of said central web portion, said staple having a direction of driving movement for a stapling operation which is parallel to the general direction of said connecting portions, said connecting portions and said central portion in elongated form having an aggregate length which constitutes the length of the crown of said staple when the latter is driven into a workpiece.

3. A stapling apparatus for inserting a staple having two side limbs provided with :free outer ends and having their other ends interconnected by a web, the latter including a folded central portion and two connecting portions at the ends of said central portion, said apparatus includ ing a body portion defining an ejection channel adapted to receive a staple and having a width substantially corresponding to the length of the crown of said staple when the latter is driven into a workpiece, two driving means mounted in said channel and displaceable relative to each other and to said channel in a longitudinal direction of the latter, means for operatively connecting said driving means to a pressure source, said two driving means comprising an inner driving member and an outer driving member, coupled together for carrying out sequential movement in a staple driving operation, the inner driving member having a width substantially corresponding to the length of said central folded portion of the web of said staple and being resiliently mounted in said outer driving member which defines a recess for receiving said inner driving member.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said outer driving member has an inclined surface which during the stapling operation bends the ends of the connecting portions remote from said central portion of the staple outwardly so that said connecting portions lie substantially on the axis of said central portion.

5. A staple comprising a central web including a centrally located fulcrum and two sections extending away from the fulcrum and angallarly related to each other, side limbs having free outer ends adapted for entering a workpiece, and connecting portions connected to said sections and said side limbs for connecting the other ends of the latter to said sections, said sections and fulcrum defining a direction of driving movement for the staple, said connecting portions being parallel to each other and to said direction, said side limbs curving laterally away :from said connecting portions and being generally aligned with said direction.

6. A staple as claimed in claim 5, wherein said sections are of equal length and define an isosceles triangle having an apex corresponding to said fulcrum.

7. A staple as claimed in claim 5, wherein said side limbs include pointed free end portions spaced apart at a distance exceeding the spacing between said connecting portions.

8. A staple as claimed in claim 5, wherein the side limbs are of a height along said direction, which is less than the total length of the said associated connecting portions and sections of said web.

9. Stapling apparatus adapted for employing a staple comprising a central web including a centrally located fulcrum and two sections extending away from the fulcrum and angularly related to each other, side limbs having free outer ends adapted for entering a workpiece, and connecting portions connected to said sections and side limbs tor connecting the latter to said sections, said sections and fulcrum defining a direction of driving movement for the staple, said connecting portions being parallel to each other and to said direction, said side limbs curving laterally away from said connnecting portions and being generally aligned wit-h said direction; said apparatus comprising first means defining an ejection channel through which said staple can pass in said direction of driving movement, second means to apply a flattening pressure to said central web by displacing said sections about said fulcrum whereby said connecting portions are displaced to an angular position relative to said direction, and third means operative, with the central web flattened,

to apply a flattening force to said displaced connected portions to bring the latter into coplanar relationship with said web.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second and third means are interengaged in relatively displaceable manner, comprising spring means urging the second and third means to a relative position in the ejection channel whereby the second means functions to apply its flattening pressure before the third means applies its flattening force.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the third means is a U-shaped member including legs between which said second means is slidably accommodated.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second means is a U-shaped member including legs between which said third means is slidably received, and wherein said legs include inclined free end portions for engaging said connecting portions of a staple.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second and third means include means for locking the same together while permitting limited movement therebetween.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,868,100 7/ 1932 Goodstein 2943 2.1 1,910,688 5/1933 Goodstein 49 1,945,377 1/ 1934 Posnack 227139 X 2,008,086 7/1935 Sorenson 156 XR 2,153,874 4/ 1939 Posnack 29-4321 3,07 7,812 2/ 1963 Dietrich 1-74 XR WHITMORE A. WILTZ, Primary Examiner.

GRANVILLE Y. CUSTER, Jr., Examiner.

Claims

1. A METHOD OF STAPLING EMPLOYING A STAPLE HAVING TWO SIDE LIMBS HAVING FREE OUTER ENDS AND BEING INTERCONNECTED BY A WEB, WHEREIN SAID WEB HAS A FOLDED CENTRAL PORTION AND ONE CONNECTING PORTION PROVIDED BETWEEN EACH END OF SAID CENTRAL PORTION AND A RESPECTIVE SIDE LIMB, SAID CONNECTING PORTIONS LYING SUSBTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE DIRECTION OF DRIVING MOVEMENT OF SAID STAPLE DURING A STAPLING OPERATION, SAID METHOD COMPRISING THE STEP OF FIRSTLY APPLYING PRESSURE TO SAID CENTRAL PORTION TO FLATTEN SAID FOLDED CENTRAL PORTION INTO ELONGATED FORM WHILE DISPLACING SAID CONNECTING PORTIONS OUTWARDLY AT AN ANGULAR POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID DIRECTION OF DRIVING MOVEMENT AND GUIDING THE FREE ENDS OF SAID SIDE LIMBS INTO THE WORKPIECE, AND OF THEN APPLYING FURTHER PRESSURE TO SAID DISPLACED CONNECTING PORTIONS TO CAUSE SAID CONNECTING PORTIONS TO BEND OUTWARDLY UNTIL IT LIES SUBSTANTIALLY IN A COMMON PLANE WITH SAID FLATTENED CENTRAL PORTION.

3. A STAPLING APPARATUS FOR INSERTING A STAPLE HAVING TWO SIDE LIMBS PROVIDED WITH FREE OUTER ENDS AND HAVING THEIR OTHER ENDS INTERCONNECTED BY A WEB, THE LATTER INCLUDING A FOLDED CENTRAL PORTION AND TWO CONNECTING PORTIONS AT THE ENDS OF SAID CENTRAL PORTION, SAID APPARATUS INCLUDING A BODY PORTION DEFINING AN EJECTION CHANNEL ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A STAPLE AND HAVING A WIDTH SUBSTANTIALLY CORRESPONDING TO THE LENGTH OF THE CROWN OF SAID STAPLE WHEN THE LATTER IS DRIVEN INTO A WORKPIECE, TWO DRIVING MEANS MOUNTED IN SAID CHANNEL AND DISPLACEABLE RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER AND TO SAID CHANNEL IN A LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION OF THE LATTER, MEANS FOR OPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAID DRIVING MEANS TO A PRESSURE SOURCE, SAID TWO DRIVING MEANS COMPRISING AN INNER DRIVING MEMBER AND AN OUTER DRIVING MEMBER, COUPLED TOGETHER FOR CARRYING OUT SEQUENTIAL MOVEMENT IN A STAPLE DRIVING OPERATION, THE INNER DRIVING MEMBER HAVING A WIDTH SUBSTANTIALLY CORRESPONDING TO THE LENGTH OF SAID CENTRAL FOLDED PORTION OF THE WEB OF SAID STAPLE AND BEING RESILIENTLY MOUNTED IN SAID OUTER DRIVING MEMBER WHICH DEFINES A RECESS FOR RECEIVING SAID INNER DRIVING MEMBER.