Spring powered stapler

Claim 2

A stapler, comprising: (a) a frame having two spaced, parallel side walls, each in the shape of a closed plane figure formed of a high-density polymer having an integral peripheral web, the webs engaging at a central plane midway between the side walls, said frame having a bore with a notch in the surface which defines the bore, (b) a hammer slidable between the side walls, (c) a spring residing between the side walls and engaging the hammer at one end, each side wall having an inwardly-directed flange, the side walls and the flanges forming a cavity enclosing the other end of the spring, (d) an actuating lever provided with a bore and a notch in the wall which defines the lever bore, (e) a pin extending through the bores in the frame and lever to permit hinged movement of the lever, said pin having a protuberance, said pin being slidable in said bores transversely of the frame from a release position where the protuberance is outside of the notch in the lever bore, to a locking position in which the protuberance engages the notches in the frame bore and the notch in the lever bore, and (f) a lifter connected to the lever for lifting the hammer against the pressure of the spring and for releasing said hammer to drive a staple when the pin is in the release position.

Claim 3

A stapler, comprising: (a) a frame having two spaced, parallel side walls, each in the shape of a closed plane figure, formed of a high-density polymer and having an integral peripheral web, the webs engaging at a central plane midway between the side walls, said frame being provided with a straight bottom edge, each side wall having a rabbet along the outside of the bottom edge, the rearward end of the frame having an aperture elongated in the forward and rearward directions, and the forward end of the frame having a rearwardly facing notch, (b) a hammer slidable between the side walls, (c) a staple magazine mounted along said bottom edge, formed with a channel element of U-shaped cross-section whose legs reside in and are slidable lengthwise of the rabbets, the width of said channel element being no greater than the width of the stapler, the forward end of the channel element having a finger for engaging the notch in the frame, the rearward end of the channel element having a pivot pin which extends into the aperture in the frame to act as a hinge element. (d) means for biasing the channel element forwardly relative to the frame so that the finger is maintained tightly engaged in the notch in the frame to prevent rotation of the staple magazine about the pivot pin, (e) a spring residing between the sidewalls and engaging the hammer at one end, (f) an actuating lever hinged to the frame, and (g) a lifter connected to the lever for lifting the hammer against the resistance of said spring and for releasing the hammer to drive a staple.

Claim 4

A stapler, comprising: (a) a frame having two spaced, parallel side walls, each in the shape of a closed plane figure, formed of a high-density polymer and having an integral peripheral web, the webs engaging at a central plane midway between the side walls, said frame being provided with a straight bottom edge, each side wall having a rabbet along the outside of the bottom edge, the rearward end of the frame having an aperture elongated in the forward and rearward directions, and the forward end of the frame having a rearwardly facing notch, (b) a hammer slidable between the side walls, (c) a staple magazine mounted along said bottom edge, formed with a channel element of U-shaped cross-section whose legs reside in and are slidable lengthwise of the rabbets, the width of said channel element being no greater than the width of the stapler, the forward end of the channel element having a finger for engaging the notch in the frame, the rearward end of the channel element having a pivot pin which extends into the aperture in the frame to act as a hinge element. (d) means for biasing the channel element forwardly relative to the frame so that the finger is maintained tightly engaged in the notch in the frame to prevent rotation of the staple magazine about the pivot pin, (e) a spring residing between the sidewalls and engaging the hammer at one end, (f) an actuating lever hinged to the frame, and (g) a lifter connected to the lever for lifting the hammer against the resistance of said spring and for releasing the hammer to drive a staple.