Stapler

Claim 2

A stapler characterized by the body portion thereof which includes a base, handle, staple magazine, and staple ejector, all of which are fabricated from a single piece of metallic material.

Claim 3

A stapler as defined in claim 1 that includes a spring-loaded staple follower which is slidably movable relative to said magazine, which follower is characterized by being fabricated from a single piece of metallic material.

Claim 4

In a stapler of the type wherein a sequence of inverted U-shaped staples are disposed that are lightly bonded together and are at all times urged forwardly by a spring-loaded staple follower, which stapler includes a body fabricated from a single, elongate, generally rectangular strip of metallic material having some resiliency, but when subjected to bending operations is permanently deformed, which body is characterized by: a. a first longitudinal section of said strip that is bent to define an elongate magazine in which said staples are contained, with said magazine having an opening formed therein through which said staples can be consecutively ejected; b. second and third longitudinal sections of said strip that are bent to define a generally U-shaped handle which supports said magazine; c. fourth and fifth sections of said strip that are bent to define a base and anvil, with said base being disposed under said magazine and handle, which anvil is located above said base and in alignment with said opening in said magazine; and d. a slit defined part of said second section which is bent to define an elongate pressure exerting member that is in alignment with said magazine for sequentially ejecting said staples through said opening to permit the legs of each of said ejected staple to be bent inwardly towards one another upon contact with said anvil when said handle is moved downwardly relative to said base.

Claim 5

In a stapler of the type wherein a sequence of inverted U-shaped staples are disposed that are lightly bonded together and are at all times urged forwardly by a spring-loaded staple follower, which stapler includes a body fabricated from a single, elongate, generally rectangular strip of metallic material having some resiliency, but when subjected to bending operations is permanently deformed, which body is characterized by: a. a first longitudinal section of said strip that is bent to define an elongate magazine in which said staples are contained, with said magazine having an opening formed therein through which said staples can be consecutively ejected; b. second and third longitudinal sections of said strip that are bent to define a generally U-shaped handle which supports said magazine; c. fourth and fifth sections of said strip that are bent to define a base and anvil, with said base being disposed under said magazine and handle, which anvil is located above said base and in alignment with said opening in said magazine; and d. a slit defined part of said second section which is bent to define an elongate pressure exerting member that is in alignment with said magazine for sequentially ejecting said staples through said opening to permit the legs of each of said ejected staple to be bent inwardly towards one another upon contact with said anvil when said handle is moved downwardly relative to said base.

Claim 6

A stapler as defined in claim 3 wherein a pair of transversely spaced slits, a pair of transversely spaced notches, and a recess is formed in the first end of said first section, which recess is in alignment with the central portion of said first section, with first portions of said first sections on opposite sides of said central portion and between said notches and slits being bent to provide sidewalls that partially define said magazine, and with second portions of said first section forwardly of said notches being bent inwardly towards one another to provide a split end wall that forms a part of said magazine, which split end wall and forward end of said central portion cooperatively define said opening that is elongate in configuration, transversely positioned, and slightly wider than the thickness of one of said staples.

Claim 7

A stapler as defined in claim 4 wherein the upper parts of said end walls are bent rearwardly to define a stop and the lower end of said pressure exerting member is bent to define a forwardly extending tab that is disposed in said magazine under said stop, which tab when it contacts said stop serves to limit the upward movement of said handle relative to said magazine.

Claim 8

A stapler as defined in claim 4 wherein the upper longitudinal parts of said sidewalls are bent inwardly towards one another to define two parallel, laterally spaced flanges forming a part of said magazine and prevent inadvertent displacement of said staples therefrom should said stapler be placed in an inverted position.

Claim 9

A stapler as defined in claim 6 wherein said follower is disposed in said magazine and is slidably and longitudinally guided therein due to contact with said central portion, sidewalls, and flanges.

Claim 10

A stapler as defined in claim 4 wherein said follower further includes: e. an elongate cuplike member slidably disposed between said sidewalls and extending around said sequence of staples, which member has a forward open end and a closed rear end, with said rear end being in engagement with the rearmost of said staples; and f. two laterally spaced channel-shaped guides which extend outwardly from said cuplike member and slidably engage said sidewalls and the under surface of said central portion.

Claim 11

A stapler as defined in claim 8 which further includes: g. an elongate tensioned spring connected to said rear end of said cup-shaped member and the forward part of said central portion to at all times urge said cup-shaped member forwardly to maintain one of said staples over said opening.