Staple driver

Abstract

Tool 10 comprises an elongate body 15 having a groove 30, (32, 34, figure 2) at one end 17 for receiving a staple (U-nail) (50, figure 4), the body comprises retention means (e.g. spring-loaded ball b

Description

09 01 25 The present invention relates generally to fencing and particularly, although not exclusively, to a tool for driving fence staples into wooden posts. 5 Fence staples, or U-nails, as they are also called, are used to attach fence wire, barbed wire, woven wire and the like to wooden posts. Traditionally a staple would be held at one between fingers whilst the other end of the staple 10 is struck, for example by a hammer, to drive it into a wooden post. This presents a safety risk and also, particularly when driving into harder wood posts, the U-shape staples can “mushroom”. The present invention seeks to provide improvements in or relating to the driving of fence 15 staples into posts. An aspect of the present invention provides a fencing staple punch tool to aid in the manual starting of fencing staples, the punch comprising an elongate body form from a metal material and at one end having a generally flat face with a groove for receiving a staple, the generally flat 20 face is provided with one or more magnets embedded therein, the body includes spring-loaded retention means for releasably keeping a staple in the groove, in which force can be applied to a striking face of the body to drive a staple into a post whilst kept in the groove. The tool therefore receives and holds staples in a groove; thereafter the staple can be driven 25 into a post by striking or otherwise applying force to the body. This removes the need to hold the staple manually. Once the staple is partially or completely driven into the post the staple is released from the body. 09 01 25 In some embodiments the body is configured to receive more than one different types / sizes of staple e.g. with a plurality of different slots and / or slot portions. The retention means is spring-loaded, for example the retention means may comprise a ball 5 bearing. A sprung loaded ball bearing may be provided (e.g. coming in from the side) of a tool head to keep the staple in the grove. The hand guard may be formed from a plastics material, for example polyethylene, polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride. 10 The body may, for example, be formed from steel, stainless steel or iron. The groove end of the body has one or more magnets. For example there may be small magnets in the end to aid staple collection when dipped in a bucket of staples. 15 In some embodiments the groove can receive one or more different sizes of staple. In one embodiment, for example, the groove may be cross-shaped or cruciform; for example the groove may be reminiscent of a combination drive screw head. 20 The body may be painted or treated. In some embodiments magnets are provided together with spring-loaded ball bearings in grub screws to hold staples in place in use. 25 The punch may comprise a head with a plurality of grooves or slots for receiving staples. In some embodiments, for example, three slots of different sizes are provided in the same tool head. Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together. Further particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combinations other than those explicitly set out in the claims. The present invention is more particularly shown and described, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings. The example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternative forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealised or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. In the description, all orientational terms, such as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention. Referring first to Figures I to 3 there is shown a punch tool 10 formed according to an embodiment of the present invention. The tool 10 comprises a body 15 and a hand guard 40. The body 15 is elongate and generally cylindrical. One end 17 of the body 15 has a generally flat face 25. The face 25 is provided with two magnets 27, 29. A slot or groove 30 is provided in the body end 17 and comprises a first, longer slot portion 32 and a second, short slot portion 34; the portions 32, 34 extend generally orthogonally to each other in a cross formation. The head of the tool includes a through hole 18 at either side for receiving a spring-loaded ball bearing which project into the slot. The bearing is held in place with a grub screw 19. The other end 20 of the body provides a striking surface 22. A generally T-shape hand guard 40 is provided and fits onto the body. The hand guard 40 comprises a longitudinal knurled sleeve 42 that extends along the body and a protective plate 44 that extends around the striking surface 22. Referring now also to Figures 4 and 5, in use the tool 10 functions to provides a fencing staple driver / punch to aid in the manual starting of fencing staples. The magnets 27, 29 are helpful to pick up a staple 50 (Figure 4). The staple 50 is inserted into the appropriately sized slot portion 32, 34 as shown in Figure 5. The staple is gripped by the ball bearing 35 so that it cannot fall out of the slot. The two prongs 52, 54 of the staple 50 project out of the tool. The sleeve 42 is gripped and the staple is offered up to a fence (not shown). A hammer or other percussion tool can then be used to strike the surface 22, which drives the staple into the fence to set the staple to a proper depth. The tool 10 is gripped below the plate 44 and this protects the user’s hand from failed impacts. In some cases the tool is used to start the staple into the post; then the tool is pulled away and the staple is released from the slot. It is possible to finish driving the staple into the post directly with a hammer. Figure 6 shows a staple driver body I 15 formed according to a further embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 shows a 40mm staple version 215 having a single elongated “stadium” shape oval slot 233. Figure 8 shows a driver body 315 with two parallel slots 333a, 333b, in this embodiment sized to receive 40mm and 30mm staples respectively. 25 11 24 Figure 9 shows a driver body 415 with two slots 433a, 433b, in this embodiment sized to receive 20mm and 25mm staples respectively. Figure 10 shows a 30mm staple version 515. Figure I I shows a 25mm staple version 615. Figure 12 shows a 20mm staple version 715. Figure I 3A to 13C show a tool 810 formed according to a further embodiment. In this embodiment a foam handle 860 is pressed onto the body 815. Magnets are provided together with spring-loaded ball bearings in grub screws to hold staples in place in use. In this embodiment the head 817 is provided with three separate slots 832a, 832b, 832c, each being a different size (to receive different sizes of staples). Figures I4A to I4D show an example of a tool of the type shown in Figure I 3, with example dimensions to give context and aid understanding. Three slots are provided, with one through hole provided for each slot for accommodating a retention bearing. Dimensions are shown on some of the drawings. For different embodiments the dimensions may or may not be limiting. Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to 6 the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 25 11 24

Claims

09 01 25I. A fencing staple punch tool to aid in the manual starting of fencing staples, the punch comprising an elongate body form from a metal material and at one end having a generally flat 5 face with a groove for receiving a staple, the generally flat face is provided with one or more magnets embedded therein, the body includes spring-loaded retention means for releasably keeping a staple in the groove, in which force can be applied to a striking surface of the body opposite the generally flat face to drive a staple into a post whilst kept in the groove.10 2. A punch as claimed in claim I, in which the retention means comprise a sprung-loadedball bearing.

3. A punch as claimed in claim I or claim 2, in which the hand guard is formed from a plastics material.

154. A punch as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the groove can receive one or more different sizes of staple.

5. A punch as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the body is painted or treated.

206. A punch as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a lateral, sprung loaded ball bearing to keep a staple in the groove7. A punch as claimed in any preceding claim, in which magnets are provided, together 25 with through holes housing spring-loaded ball bearings in grub screws to hold staples in place in use.

8. A punch as claimed in any preceding claim, including a head with a plurality of grooves or slots for receiving staples.

9. A punch as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the tool comprises a hand guard 5 or a handle, the hand guard or handle is formed separately and is attached or attachable to the body.IO. A punch as claimed in claim 9, in which a hand guard is provided and comprises a longitudinal sleeve that extends along the body and a protective plate that extends around the 10 striking surface.I I. A punch as claimed in claim 9, in which a foam handle is provided.09 01 25

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