Binding machine

Abstract

To provide a binding machine in which a magazine can be easily attached to and detached from a main body.SOLUTION: The binding machine according to the present disclosure comprises: a main body having a binding section configured to bind objects with staples; a magazine configured to support staples; a pressing section that is rotatably arranged relative to the main body and rotates in a first rotational direction approaching the binding section to press the magazine toward the binding section, and is configured to release the pressure on the magazine by rotating in an opposite second rotational direction; and a fixing section that is rotatably arranged relative to the main body together with the pressing section and is fixed to the main body in a state where the pressing section presses the magazine toward the binding section by rotating in the first rotational direction, and an attaching section configured so that at least a portion of the magazine can be detachably attached to the main body using the pressing section and the fixing section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1B

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a binding machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Staples are known for holding stems, vines, branches, etc. of plants, trees, etc. to guide elements such as wires, beams, strings, rods, pipes, tree branches, etc.

[0003] Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose such staples and binding machines for binding using staples. The staple described in Patent Document 2 has two legs and a main body (sometimes called a "crown") connecting the legs, and engages with a guide element (sometimes called an "object") by deforming the tip of one of the legs so that the tip advances spirally around the outer periphery of the object. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-74007 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-13307 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-13317 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In such a binding machine, there are times when it is necessary to remove the magazine from the main body of the binding machine during maintenance or when the staples become jammed. However, no structure is known for easily attaching and detaching the magazine to the main body. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a binding machine in which the magazine can be easily attached to and detached from the main body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present application discloses a binding machine comprising: a main body having a binding section configured to be able to bind objects with staples; a magazine configured to support staples; a pressing section that is rotatable relative to the main body and rotates in a first rotational direction approaching the binding section to press the magazine toward the binding section and rotates in an opposite second rotational direction to release the pressure on the magazine; and a fixing section that is rotatable relative to the main body together with the pressing section and is fixed to the main body when rotated in the first rotational direction so that the pressing section presses the magazine toward the binding section, and an attachment section configured to enable at least a portion of the magazine to be detachably attached to the main body using the pressing section and the fixing section.

[0007] Here, a staple (sometimes called a "linear binding material") is formed from a flexible wire that can be plastically deformed, and includes a member (including those whose surfaces are plated or coated with resin, etc.) that engages with an object by deformation. Staples are also sometimes called wires, clips, wires, binding devices, etc.

[0008] The staple may have any shape including two legs and a connecting portion (sometimes called a crown portion) connecting the two legs. The two legs may be formed as parallel line segments, non-parallel line segments, curved lines, or a combination thereof. The crown portion may be formed linearly or curved. For example, the staple may have an asymmetric shape, as exemplified in this embodiment.

[0009] Binding also includes restraining the relative movement of one object and another object using a staple. For example, binding of objects may be achieved by surrounding one object (which may be called a "second object," such as a plant) with a staple and then engaging, for example, both ends (two tip ends) of the staple with the other object (which may be called a "first object," a "guide," or a "guide element," such as a wire, beam, string, rod, pipe, or tree branch). [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a bottom view (bottom view) of the binding machine according to one embodiment, as seen from below. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the binding machine according to one embodiment, seen from above. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a plan view (top view) showing a staple before deformation to be bound by a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a perspective view showing a staple after deformation that is bound by a binding machine according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The following describes the configuration of the binding machine 10 according to this embodiment and the staples S supported by the magazine of this binding machine 10. However, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, the present invention is widely applicable to binding machines having a main body 15 with a binding section 11 configured to be able to bind objects with staples, and a magazine configured to be able to support staples, and is not limited to the staples S and binding machine 10 shown in this embodiment. Therefore, the following description will first focus on the magazine 14 and magazine mounting section 16 (an example of an "mounting section") of the binding machine 10 according to this embodiment, and then briefly describe the configuration of the binding machine 10 and the staples S.

[0012] [Strapping machine configuration] An example of the configuration of the binding machine 10 for bending the staple S shown in Fig. 5A to the position shown in Fig. 5B will be described below. However, the binding machine may have other known configurations.

[0013] With the exception of some configurations being inverted left to right (i.e., the first displacement section and second displacement section of the binding machine disclosed in Patent Document 3, etc. being inverted left to right), the basic configuration of the binding machine disclosed in the same document, etc. and the binding machine 10 of this embodiment are the same, so each configuration of the binding machine 10 will be described by appropriately omitting or simplifying it to the extent that a person skilled in the art can implement it based on the descriptions in the document, the specification of this application, and the technical level at the time of filing this application.

[0014] 4 may be referred to as the front X1, and the opposite, leftward direction on the paper surface may be referred to as the rear X2, and both directions may be collectively referred to as the front-rear direction X. As described above, the front X1 corresponds to the direction in which the staples S at the upper ends of the connected staples supported by the magazine 14 move after separating from the other staples S, and also coincides with the opening direction DR1 of the staples S (FIG. 5A).

[0015] 4, the forward direction perpendicular to the paper surface is referred to as the upward direction Z1, and the opposite depth direction perpendicular to the paper surface is referred to as the downward direction Z2, and both directions may be collectively referred to as the up-down direction Z. In this embodiment, the up-down direction Z corresponds to the extension direction of the magazine 14 and also coincides with the connecting direction DR2 (stacking direction) of the connected staples S supported by the magazine 14. Furthermore, the up-down direction on the paper surface in the same figure is referred to as the left-down direction Y1, and the opposite downward direction on the paper surface is referred to as the right-down direction Y2, and both directions may be collectively referred to as the left-right direction Y. Furthermore, a top view (bottom view) refers to the viewpoint when the binding machine 10, etc. is viewed from an upper Z1 (lower Z2) position toward a lower Z2 (upper Z1), a front view (rear view) refers to the viewpoint when the binding machine 10, etc. is viewed from a forward X1 (rear X2) position toward a rear X2 (forward X1), and a right side view (left side view) refers to the viewpoint when the binding machine 10, etc. is viewed from a left Y1 toward a right Y2 (from a right Y2 toward a left Y1).

[0016] Fig. 1A is a perspective view of the binding machine 10 as viewed from below Z1, and Fig. 1B is a perspective view of the binding machine 10 as viewed from below Z1 when a magazine 14 is being removed from the binding machine 10. Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the binding machine 10 as viewed from below (a bottom view of the binding machine 10), and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the binding machine 10 cut along an imaginary plane that is perpendicular to the left-right direction Y and passes through the center of the binding machine 10 in the left-right direction Y. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the binding machine 10 cut along an imaginary plane that is perpendicular to the up-down direction Z and passes through the binding unit 11 of the binding machine 10.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1A and other figures, the binding machine 10 includes a grip 12 that extends vertically so as to be grasped by a user and that is provided with a switch for driving the binding machine 10; a magazine 14 that is configured to support (hold) a plurality of staples S (sometimes referred to as "connected staples S") that are stacked and connected vertically and that includes a pusher 14P (FIG. 3) that urges the staples S upward Z1; and a binding unit 11 that is configured to bind two objects, a first object G and a second object P, using one staple S. Here, the portion of the binding machine 10 that includes the grip 12 and the binding unit 11, excluding the detachable magazine 14, may be referred to as a main body 15. The binding machine 10 further includes a magazine attachment unit 16 that is configured to detachably attach the magazine 14 to the main body 15. First, the configuration of the magazine 14 will be described.

[0018] [Magazine configuration] The magazine 14 is configured to be able to support one or a plurality of connected staples S. The magazine 14 includes an engaging portion 14C (FIG. 1B) provided at an upper Z1 end of the magazine 14 and configured to be able to engage with the main body portion 15, a magazine support portion having a magazine wall portion 14W provided extending in the vertical direction Z to support the connected staples S connected in the vertical direction Z in a state where the connected staples S are inserted into a region surrounded by the staples S so as to face the inner surfaces (side surfaces facing inward) of the staples S, and a magazine bottom portion 14B provided at a lower Z2 end of the magazine wall portion 14W, and a pusher 14P (FIG. 3) for urging the staples S upward Z1.

[0019] The magazine bottom 14B of the magazine 14 in this embodiment has a magazine abutment portion 14BA (an example of an "abutment portion"), a portion of which protrudes downward Z2 and abuts against the magazine abutment portion 16PA described later and is pressed upward Z1, and a compression spring 14BS (Figure 4), which is an elastic member provided above Z1 the magazine abutment portion 14BA and biases the magazine abutment portion 14BA downward Z2 so as to be movable in the vertical direction Z.

[0020] With this configuration, when the magazine 14 is attached to the main body 15, the magazine contact portion 14BA is pressed upward Z1 by the magazine contact portion 16PA (described later), making it possible to use the elastic force of the compression spring 14BS to press the magazine 14 toward the binding portion 11 in the upward Z1. Furthermore, since the magazine contact portion 14BA in this embodiment is formed in a spherical shape, it is possible to suppress uneven contact. Therefore, it is possible to press and fix the magazine 14 toward the binding portion 11 of the binding machine 10 so as to suppress rattle.

[0021] Other known configurations can be adopted for the configuration of the magazine 14. In this embodiment, the pusher 14P is installed inside a magazine wall portion 14W that penetrates the area surrounded by the linked staples S in the up-down direction Z, thereby reducing the size of the binding machine 10. The pusher 14P has a claw portion 14WC (FIG. 1B) that protrudes outward from a hole formed in the magazine wall portion 14W and extending in the up-down direction Z. The claw portion 14WC is biased by an elastic body such as a spring so as to be able to move back and forth inside the magazine wall portion 14W, and is also biased upward Z1. Therefore, when the binding machine 10 is lowered so that the upward Z1 faces the vertical direction and a linked staple S is inserted through an insertion opening ISO (FIG. 2) described later, the linked staple S moves from the downward Z2 to the upward Z1 due to gravity. When the claw portion 14WC is pushed by the connected staples S, it is hidden inside the magazine wall portion 14W, and the pusher 14P can pass through the connected staples S, and then the user moves the pusher 14P downward Z2 to pass through the connected staples S, and when the pusher 14P is moved to Z2 below the connected staples S, the claw portion 14WC protrudes outward again. Therefore, the pusher 14P is configured to be able to press, toward the upward Z1, the connected staples S that have been inserted from the downward Z2 toward the upward Z1.

[0022] With this configuration, it is possible to load the staples S into the binding machine 10 simply by inserting the linked staples S through the insertion openings ISO, which will be described later, with the binding machine 10 lowered so that the main body 15 of the binding machine 10 is positioned vertically. Note that the claw portions 14WC may be provided with tapered surfaces formed so as to widen from the downward direction Z2 to the upward direction Z1. With this configuration, the claw portions 14WC are easily pressed down into the interior of the magazine wall portion 14W by the linked staples S abutting against the tapered surfaces, so that it is possible to smoothly load the linked staples S into the binding machine 10.

[0023] However, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the magazine 14 shown in this embodiment, and may be applied to magazines having other known configurations capable of supporting one or a plurality of connected staples. For example, the magazine attachment portion of the present invention may be applied to a magazine that extends upward Z1 relative to the binding portion 11 of the main body portion 15.

[0024] [Magazine mounting configuration] There are times when you need to remove the magazine from the main body of the binding machine during maintenance or when the staples get jammed. If the magazine is secured to the binding machine with screws, it takes time to remove the screws. Also, when attaching the magazine to the binding machine, you want to press the magazine against the main body of the binding machine to prevent rattle as much as possible, but this results in the binding machine becoming larger due to the parts that press the magazine.

[0025] Therefore, the inventors of the present application came up with the idea of ​​a configuration of a magazine attachment part that makes it easy to attach and detach a magazine while suppressing an increase in the size of the binding machine.

[0026] 1A and 1B, magazine attachment portion 16 according to this embodiment is configured to detachably attach magazine 14 to main body portion 15. Specifically, magazine attachment portion 16 includes a rotation shaft portion 16R rotatably provided with respect to main body portion 15, a pressing portion 16P connected to rotation shaft portion 16R and thereby rotatably provided with respect to main body portion 15, and a fixing portion 16F rotatably provided with respect to main body portion 15 together with pressing portion 16P.

[0027] When the pressing portion 16P and the fixing portion 16F rotate around the rotation shaft portion 16R in a first rotation direction RD1 (FIG. 3) approaching the main body portion 15, the pressing portion 16P presses the magazine 14 toward the upward direction Z1 where the binding portion 11 is provided, and the fixing portion 16F engages with the main body portion 15 and is fixed to the main body portion 15, thereby attaching the magazine 14 to the main body portion 15. The state in which the magazine 14 is attached to the main body portion 15 as shown in FIGS. 1A and 3 may be referred to as a magazine attached state.

[0028] On the other hand, in the magazine attached state, when the pressing portion 16P and the fixing portion 16F rotate in the second rotation direction RD2 (FIG. 3) away from the main body portion 15, the pressure on the magazine 14 in the upward Z1 direction is released, and the pressing portion 16P moves away from the magazine 14, and the engagement with the main body portion 15 is released, and the fixing portion 16F moves away from the main body portion 15, so that the magazine 14 can be removed from the main body portion 15 as shown in FIG. 1B. This state in which the magazine 14 can be removed from the main body portion 15 is sometimes called a magazine released state. The detailed configuration of the magazine attachment portion 16 will be described below.

[0029] The rotating shaft 16R rotatably holds the magazine attachment portion 16 relative to the main body 15. In this embodiment, the rotating shaft 16R includes a first rotating shaft 16R1 provided in a position forward (X1) of a main body contact portion 16FA and a magazine contact portion 16PA (described later) and spaced to the left (Y1) of the main body contact portion 16FA and the magazine contact portion 16PA, and a second rotating shaft 16R2 provided in a position forward (X1) of the main body contact portion 16FA and the magazine contact portion 16PA and spaced to the right (Y2) of the main body contact portion 16FA and the magazine contact portion 16PA. The first rotating shaft 16R1 and the second rotating shaft 16R2 each have a rotation axis parallel to the left-right direction Y. Therefore, the pressing portion 16P and the fixing portion 16F connected to the first rotating shaft portion 16R1 and the second rotating shaft portion 16R2 are configured to move away from the main body portion 15 by rotating in a first rotation direction RD1 (counterclockwise direction in Figure 3) and to move closer to the main body portion 15 by rotating in the opposite second rotation direction RD2 (clockwise direction in Figure 3).

[0030] The first rotating shaft 16R1 and the second rotating shaft 16R2 are provided facing each other and spaced apart in the left-right direction Y. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 2, the binding operation can be performed by arranging the first rotating shaft 16R1 and the second rotating shaft 16R2 so that a second object P (for example, a plant such as a tomato stem) extending in the up-down direction Z passes through the space between them.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 3, in the magazine-attached state, the first rotating shaft 16R1 and the second rotating shaft 16R2 are located further forward (X1) than the main body contact portion 16FA and the magazine contact portion 16PA. To achieve this positional relationship, the lower end (end at the lower Z1) of the grip 12 is provided with a left-side protruding portion that extends forward (X1) to face the wall portion of the magazine wall portion 14W facing the left (Y1) side in the magazine-attached state and protrudes further forward (X1) than the magazine 14, and a right-side protruding portion that extends forward (X1) to face the wall portion of the magazine wall portion 14W facing the right (Y2) side and protrudes further forward (X1) than the magazine 14. In the magazine-attached state, the magazine 14 is inserted into a recess 15C (Fig. 1B) formed in the lower end of the grip 12, which is located between the left-side protruding portion and the right-side protruding portion, and which is open to the front (X1) side and recessed toward the rear (X2) side. The first rotating shaft portion 16R1 is supported at the front end of a left protrusion provided at the lower end of the grip 12 so as to be rotatable in a first rotation direction RD1 and a second rotation direction RD2, and the second rotating shaft portion 16R2 is supported at the front end of a right protrusion provided at the lower end of the grip 12 so as to be rotatable in a first rotation direction RD1 and a second rotation direction RD2.

[0032] In the magazine attached state, the pressing portion 16P abuts against the magazine abutment portion 14BA that protrudes downward Z2, and presses the magazine 14 toward the upward Z1 where the binding portion 11 is provided. The pressing portion 16P is connected to the rotating shaft 16R and is thereby rotatable in a first rotation direction RD1 and a second rotation direction RD2 relative to the main body 15. Specifically, the pressing portion 16P includes a first leg portion extending from the first rotating shaft 16R1 in a direction (rear X2) toward the main body abutment 16FA located at the rear X2 in the magazine attached state, a second leg portion extending from the second rotating shaft 16R2 in a direction (rear X2) toward the main body abutment 16FA located at the rear X2 in the magazine attached state, and a magazine abutment portion 16PA having a connecting portion connecting the first leg portion and the second leg portion and abutting against the magazine abutment portion 14BA in a region between the rotating shaft 16R located at the front X1 and the main body abutment 16FA located at the rear X2 in the magazine attached state. As described above, the magazine abutment portion 14BA in this embodiment is formed in a spherical shape, and therefore the connecting portion has a flat portion that faces and can abut against the magazine abutment portion 14BA. When the magazine is attached, this flat plate portion is substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction Z and presses the magazine contact portion 14BA provided on the magazine bottom portion 14B upward Z1.

[0033] The fixing portion 16F is fixed to the main body 15 in the magazine attached state, thereby supporting the magazine attachment portion 16. The fixing portion 16F is formed integrally with the pressing portion 16P, and is therefore provided rotatable in the first rotation direction RD1 and the second rotation direction RD2 together with the pressing portion 16P relative to the main body 15. Specifically, in the magazine attached state, the fixing portion 16F extends rearward X2 from the first rotating shaft 16R1 to face the wall portion of the magazine wall 14W facing leftward Y1, and includes a first connecting portion 16FC1 that connects to the main body abutment portion 16FA located rearward X2 from the magazine 14; and a second connecting portion 16FC2 that extends rearward X2 from the magazine wall portion 14W so as to face the wall portion facing rightward Y2 of the magazine wall portion 14W and connects to the main body abutment portion 16FA located rearward X2 from the magazine 14, and a main body abutment portion 16FA that is connected to the first connecting portion 16FC1 and the second connecting portion 16FC2, respectively, and that is supported by the lower end of the grip 12, which is part of the main body portion 15, at a position rearward X2 from the magazine 14 in the same state and at a position corresponding to the center of the main body portion 15 in the left-right direction Y.

[0034] Here, a latch structure for engaging with the body abutment portion 16FA to fix the magazine attachment portion 16 is provided at the lower end of the grip 12. Specifically, a support portion 12S is provided at the rear X2 of the support portion 12S, the support portion 12S having a support surface facing upward Z1 and biased forward X1 so as to be movable in the front-to-rear direction X. A compression spring 12SP is an elastic member that is provided at the rear X2 of the support portion 12S and biases the support portion 12S forward X1 so as to be movable in the front-to-rear direction X. As shown in FIG. 3 , in the magazine attachment state, the body abutment portion 16FA and the support portion 12S engage with each other, and the support portion 12S supports the body abutment portion 16FA from the downward Z2 and applies a force toward the upward Z1 corresponding to the first rotational direction RD1. Therefore, the body abutment portion 16FA is fixed to the body portion 15 while receiving a force in the first rotational direction RD1 from the support portion 12S provided on the body portion 15. At this time, the support portion 12S also presses the main body abutment portion 16FA forward X1, so that the magazine 14 receives a force in the upward direction Z1 via the pressing portion 16P and the fixed portion 16F, and also receives a force in the forward direction X1 from the fixed portion 16F, thereby making it possible to attach the magazine 14 to the main body portion 15 in a state in which rattle is suppressed. Therefore, it becomes possible to stabilize the supply position of the staples S supported by the magazine 14 to the binding portion 11.

[0035] According to the above-described configuration, by rotating the magazine attachment portion 16 in the first rotation direction RD1 while the engagement portion 14C provided at the upper end of the magazine 14 is engaged with the main body portion 15, the pressing portion 16P presses the magazine bottom portion 14B at the lower end of the magazine 14 toward the upward direction Z1 where the binding portion 11 is provided, and the fixing portion 16F, which rotates together with the pressing portion 16P in the first rotation direction RD1, is fixed to the lower end of the grip 12 of the main body portion 15 in a state in which the pressing portion 16P presses the magazine bottom portion 14B toward the upward direction Z1 where the binding portion 11 is provided. Furthermore, by moving the support portion 12S backward X2 and rotating the magazine attachment portion 16 in the opposite second rotation direction RD2, the pressing portion 16P releases the pressing of the magazine 14 and moves together with the fixing portion 16F to a position where it does not interfere with the downward movement of the magazine 14 in Z2, making it possible to remove the magazine 14 from the main body portion 15.

[0036] 2 and 3, in the magazine attached state, the main body abutment portion 16FA is provided rearward X2 from the magazine 14 (including the support portion of the magazine 14) and rearward X2 from the magazine abutment portion 16PA, and the magazine 14 (including the support portion of the magazine 14) and the magazine abutment portion 16PA are provided rearward X2 from the rotating shaft portion 16R. In other words, in the magazine attached state, the magazine 14 (including the support portion of the magazine 14) and the magazine abutment portion 16PA are provided forward X1 from the main body abutment portion 16FA, and the rotating shaft portion 16R is provided forward X1 from the magazine 14 (including the support portion of the magazine 14) and the magazine abutment portion 16PA.

[0037] With this configuration, in accordance with the principle of leverage, with the main body abutment 16FA as the force point, the rotation shaft 16R as the fulcrum, and the magazine abutment 16PA as the point of application, the main body abutment 16FA can efficiently transmit the force in the first rotation direction RD1 that it receives from the main body 15 to the magazine abutment 16PA. This configuration also makes it possible to attach the magazine 14 to the main body 15 so as to suppress rattle. However, this configuration is not limited to the above. For example, the main body abutment 16FA may be located further forward than the magazine 14 (including the support portion of the magazine 14) in the X1 direction than the magazine abutment 16PA, and the magazine 14 (including the support portion of the magazine 14) and the magazine abutment 16PA may be located further forward than the rotation shaft 16R in the X1 direction. With this configuration, in accordance with the principle of leverage, the main body abutment 16FA can efficiently transmit the force in the first rotation direction RD1 that it receives from the main body 15 to the magazine abutment 16PA. [Insertion port] Next, the configuration of the insertion opening ISO for inserting the linked staples S and loading the linked staples S into the binding machine 10 will be described.

[0038] 2, which shows a bottom view of the binding machine 10, in the magazine-attached state, the main body abutment portion 16FA and the first and second connection portions 16FC1 and 16FC2, which are connection portions that connect the main body abutment portion 16FA to the rotation shaft portion 16R, are provided so as to cover the outside of the support portion of the magazine 14. The insertion opening ISO is formed between the support portion of the magazine 14 (the magazine bottom portion 14B in the bottom view) and the main body abutment portion 16FA, the first connection portion 16FC1, and the second connection portion 16FC2, and is formed so as to be visible in the bottom view.

[0039] Therefore, the linked staples S supported by the magazine 14 are configured to be visible through the insertion opening ISO when viewed from below.

[0040] With this configuration, it is possible to load the staples S into the binding machine 10 simply by lowering the binding machine 10 so that the main body 15 of the binding machine 10 is positioned vertically and inserting the connected staples S through the insertion port ISO.

[0041] [Bundling section configuration] An example of the configuration of the binding unit 11 of the binding machine 10 for bending the staple S shown in Fig. 5A to Fig. 5B will be described below. However, other known configurations may be adopted as means for deforming the staple.

[0042] The binding machine 10 includes the above-described magazine 14 and magazine attachment section 16, as well as a binding section 11. The binding section 11 is a section that bends staples to bind objects together. The binding section 11 of this embodiment includes a first displacement section 20 that displaces a first leg S1 of the staple S so that it can engage with a first object G, and a second displacement section 30 that displaces a second leg S2 of the staple S so that it can engage with the first object G.

[0043] The first displacement section 20 is provided in front of the first leg S1 and has a hole with an inner wall surface including a cylindrical surface. As will be described later, in the binding machine 10, with the first object G inserted on the central axis of this cylindrical surface, the tip S1P of the first leg S1 of the staple S moving forward by the driver 42 is brought into contact with (collides with) the inner wall surface, deforming the tip ST into a spiral shape so as to surround the first object G, thereby engaging the tip ST with the first object G. On the other hand, the second displacement section 30 has a wall provided in front of the second leg S2. As will be described later, in the binding machine 10, with the first leg S1, second leg S2, and main body S3 of the staple S surrounding the second object P, the driver 42 causes the second leg S2 of the staple S to abut (collide) against a wall surface, bending the hook portion S24 of the second leg S2 so that it engages with the first object G, thereby engaging the hook portion S24 with the first object G. The binding machine 10 is configured to be able to bind the first object G and the second object P together by engaging both ends of the staple S with the first object G with the staple S surrounding the second object P.

[0044] Specifically, the binding machine 10 includes a driver 42 that separates the staple S located at the top end from the other staples S by pushing the staple S located at the top end forward X1, which coincides with the opening direction DR1, and moves the staple S located at the top end forward X1, a moving mechanism for moving the driver 42, a first displacement section 20 (sometimes called a "clincher section") for bending the first leg S1 of the staple S and deforming it into a spiral shape, and a second displacement section 30 for deforming the second leg S2 of the staple S by bending or bending it.

[0045] [Driver and driver movement mechanism] As described in the document, the binding machine 10 is configured to be able to move a nut component 52 and a driver 42 fixed thereto forward or backward by rotating a ball screw 50, which is installed extending in the front-to-rear direction through approximately the center of the binding machine 10, in a forward or reverse direction using a built-in motor 54. Because the nut component 52 and the driver 42 are configured to be able to move forward X1 and backward X2, they are sometimes referred to as moving parts. The binding machine 10 further includes a reducer connected to the output shaft of the motor 54 and a printed circuit board on which a CPU corresponding to a control device for the motor 54 is mounted.

[0046] The driver 42 is configured to be able to move forward X1 by separating the uppermost staple S among the plurality of staples S held in the magazine 14 and stacked in the vertical direction from the other staples S while maintaining a front-to-back relationship in which the opening of the staple S is in the front and the main body S3 is in the rear, and move forward X1. The driver 42 is configured to further move the separated staple S forward X1 and bring the first leg S1 into contact with a first displacement portion 20 (described later), thereby plastically deforming the first leg S1, and bring the second leg S2 into contact with a guide wall included in a second displacement portion 30 (described later), thereby plastically deforming the second leg S2.

[0047] [First displacement section] The first displacement unit 20 (an example of a "displacement unit") has a function of displacing the first leg S1 of the staple S, which is moved in the forward direction X1 by the driver 42, into a spiral shape so as to surround the first object G, thereby enabling engagement with the first object G. However, the configuration for spirally deforming the staple S, which is moved in the forward direction X1 by the driver 42, may be realized by another known configuration.

[0048] A detailed description will be omitted because it would be easily implementable by a person skilled in the art based on the state of the art at the time of filing, including the above-mentioned document, but the first displacement section 20 according to this embodiment includes a hole having a cylindrical inner wall surface into which the tip S1P of the straight portion S12 of the first leg S1 of the staple S is inserted as the staple S is advanced by the driver 42, thereby causing the tip ST of the first leg S1 to advance downward Z2 (downward in the stacking direction) while curving in an arc or spiral, and a groove for guiding the tip of the first leg S1 into the hole (e.g., corresponding to the hole 210 and the groove 211 in the above-mentioned document). The hole is provided in the front X1 of the first leg S1 such that the axial direction of the cylindrical surface is parallel to the up-down direction Z. Therefore, as the staple S advances, the tip S1P of the straight portion S12 comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the hole, and the tip ST can be displaced so that it advances in a spiral shape in accordance with the shape of the inner wall surface. In addition, in order to encourage the tip ST to move downward Z2, the binding machine 10 may be provided with a lid that closes the top of the hole (the top surface of the cylinder), and the lid may further be formed with a tapered surface that slopes downward Z2 along the circumferential direction to encourage the tip S1P to move downward Z2.

[0049] With this configuration, when the first object G, for example a guide string, is positioned so that it extends in the vertical direction along the central axis of the hole, and the tip S1P of the first leg S1 is inserted into the hole, the tip S1P moves in a spiral along the cylindrical inner wall surface of the hole, so that the tip ST can be deformed spirally around the first object G, thereby engaging the tip ST with the first object G.

[0050] [Second displacement section] The second displacement section 30 (an example of a "displacement section") has a function of displacing the second leg S2 of the staple S moved forward X1 by the driver 42 so that the second leg S2 can engage with the first object G. Although detailed description is omitted here because it would be easily implemented by a person skilled in the art based on the state of the art at the time of filing, including the above-mentioned document, the second displacement section 30 according to this embodiment is configured to displace the second leg S2 inward of the staple S as the driver 42 moves forward X1. Specifically, the second displacement section 30 has a first guide wall that is provided on the outside of the second leg S2 in the initial state before the staple S starts to be displaced, and that is adapted to bend the second leg S2 by contacting the second leg S2 of the staple S moving in the opening direction DR1 (forward X1). This first guide wall has a recess that is recessed outward of the staple S.

[0051] Furthermore, the second displacement portion 30 includes a second guide wall that is provided in front X1 of the second leg S2 in an initial state before the staple S starts to be displaced, and that bends the second leg S2 when the second leg S2 of the staple S moving in the opening direction DR1 abuts against the second guide wall. The second guide wall has a wall surface facing the rear X2, and further has a convex portion that protrudes rearward X2. In the initial state, the convex portion is provided in front of the second leg S2 in the front-rear direction and inward of the second leg S2 in the left-right direction, and is provided at an inner end of the second guide wall so that the amount of protrusion rearward X2 increases as the convex portion advances inward.

[0052] With this configuration, the second leg S2 of the staple S, which is advanced by the driver 42, can be brought into contact (collide) with the inner wall surfaces of the first guide wall and the second guide wall, thereby bending the third part S23 of the second leg S2 so that it curves greatly, and therefore the hook part S24 can be displaced in a direction approaching the first object G and hooked onto the first object G.

[0053] As described above, of the staple S advanced by the driver 42, the first leg S1 is deformed spirally by the first displacement portion 20 and engages with the first object G, and the hook portion S24 of the second leg S2 is hooked onto and engaged with the first object G by the second displacement portion 30, making it possible to bind the first object G and the second object P together.

[0054] [Configuration of Staple S] Next, the configuration of the staple S in this embodiment will be described. However, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, the present invention is widely applicable as a structure for attaching a magazine capable of supporting (holding) staples having any shape including two legs and a connecting portion (sometimes called a crown portion) connecting the two legs (for example, the two legs may be formed as parallel line segments, or may be formed as non-parallel line segments, curved lines, or a combination thereof. The crown portion may be formed linearly or curved). However, staples having an asymmetric shape like the staple S shown in this embodiment are generally prone to jamming, and therefore the effects of the present invention are more pronounced.

[0055] FIG. 5A is a plan view of the staple S as seen from above in a state before binding (sometimes referred to as "before deformation"; the same applies hereinafter) according to this embodiment.

[0056] Figure 5B is an oblique view of the staple S in the state after binding (sometimes called "after deformation" or "when engaged", etc.; the same applies hereinafter) in this embodiment, a plan view (enlarged view) of the tip portion when viewed from above, and a right side view (enlarged view) of the tip portion.

[0057] First, the structure of the staple S before binding will be described.

[0058] The staple S has a first leg S1, a second leg S2, and a main body S3 connecting the first leg S1 and the second leg S2. Before binding, the first leg S1 and the second leg S2 of the staple S are spaced apart, so that an opening is provided between the first leg S1 and the second leg S2. In this embodiment, the direction from the main body S3, which is the closed portion, toward the opening (to the left on the paper in FIG. 5A) may be referred to as the opening direction DR1 (of the staple S). Furthermore, a direction parallel to an imaginary plane that penetrates the first leg S1, the second leg S2, and the main body S3 of the staple S may be referred to as the side direction (of the staple S), and the surface of the staple S facing the side direction may be referred to as the side of the staple S. Furthermore, a direction perpendicular to the side direction and in which a plurality of staples S are connected is referred to as a stacking direction or connecting direction, and in particular, the front direction perpendicular to the paper surface in Fig. 5A may be referred to as the upper stacking direction (of the staples S), and the depth direction perpendicular to the paper surface in Fig. 5A may be referred to as the lower stacking direction. As will be described later, in this embodiment, the opening direction DR1 of the staples S coincides with the forward direction X1, which is the moving direction of the staples S set in the binding machine 10. In this embodiment, the stacking direction DR2 of the connected staples S supported by the magazine 14 of the binding machine 10 coincides with the up-down direction Z, which is the extension direction of the magazine 14.

[0059] The staple S comprises a main body S3 connecting the first leg S1 and the second leg S2 and surrounding a second object P such as a stem; a first leg S1 connected to one end of the main body S3 and including a first portion S11 that bends and extends outward; and a second portion S12 that bends further from the first portion S11 and extends in the opening direction DR1. The second leg S2 is connected to the other end of the main body S3 and includes a third portion S23 that extends in the opening direction DR1 and a fourth portion S24 that bends outward from the tip of the third portion S23. As shown in the figure, the main body S3 is curved in a C-shape or a semicircular arc. The first portion S11 connecting the main body S3 and the second portion S12 is sometimes referred to as a crank portion, and the second portion S12 connected to the first portion S11 and extending linearly in the opening direction DR1 is sometimes referred to as a straight portion. Furthermore, a fourth portion S24, which corresponds to the other tip of the staple S and is bent at an acute angle relative to the third portion S23, is sometimes called a hook portion.

[0060] 5B, which shows the state after deformation, the hook portion S24 corresponding to the tip of the second leg portion S2 is engaged by bending the second leg portion S2 in a direction approaching the first object G by the binding machine 10, which will be described later, and hooking it onto the first object G. At this time, the opening that was provided between the two legs in the state before deformation is closed in top view, so that it becomes possible to surround the second object P using the staple S.

[0061] When the hook portion S24 engages with the first object G, the main body portion S3 and the third portion S23 exert elastic force in a direction that widens the opening and returns to their original positions. This allows the hook portion S24 to apply tension to the first object G in a direction that widens the opening, i.e., in a direction that moves the hook portion S24 away from the first leg portion S1 and returns to its original position. This makes it possible to prevent the first object G from bending and causing the staple S to fall off, for example.

[0062] Furthermore, the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, some components of one embodiment can be added to other embodiments within the scope of ordinary creativity of a person skilled in the art. Also, some components of one embodiment can be replaced with corresponding components of other embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 10 Binding machine 11 Binding section 12 Grip 14 Magazine 14B Magazine bottom 14P Pusher 14W magazine wall 15 Main body 16 Magazine attachment part 16B magazine bottom 16F Fixed part 16P pressing part 16R Rotating shaft 20 First displacement section 30 Second displacement section 42 Drivers 52 Nut parts 54 Motor G. First Object ISO insertion port P Second object RD1 First rotation direction RD2 Second rotation direction S staple

Claims

1. a main body having a binding portion configured to be able to bind objects with staples; a magazine configured to support staples; a pressing section that is rotatably provided with respect to the main body section and that rotates in a first rotational direction approaching the binding section to press the magazine toward the binding section and that rotates in an opposite second rotational direction to release the pressure on the magazine; and a fixing section that is rotatably provided with respect to the main body section together with the pressing section and that is fixed to the main body section in a state in which the pressing section presses the magazine toward the binding section by rotating in the first rotational direction, and that is configured so that at least a part of the magazine can be detachably attached to the main body section using the pressing section and the fixing section; A binding machine comprising:

2. In a magazine attached state in which the pressing portion presses the magazine toward the binding portion and the fixing portion is fixed to the main body portion, an insertion hole through which a staple can be inserted is formed between the fixing portion and the magazine, The magazine is configured to be able to support the staples inserted through the insertion opening. The binding machine according to claim 1 .

3. The mounting portion is a rotation shaft portion attached to the main body portion so as to be rotatable in the first rotation direction and the second rotation direction, The fixing portion is a main body abutment portion that is fixed to the main body portion when receiving a force in the first rotation direction from the main body portion in the magazine attached state; a connecting portion that connects the main body contact portion and the rotating shaft portion; and The pressing portion is a magazine abutment portion that is formed to extend in a direction from the rotation shaft portion toward the main body abutment portion and is configured to be able to press the magazine toward the binding portion in a region between the rotation shaft portion and the main body abutment portion; The strapping machine according to claim 2, further comprising:

4. The magazine includes: The magazine support portion is formed to extend in the vertical direction and supports one or a plurality of staples connected in the vertical direction in a state where the staples are inserted into an area surrounded by the staples. The binding machine according to claim 3.

5. In the magazine attached state, the main body abutment portion and the connection portion are provided outside the magazine support portion, the insertion opening is formed between the main body abutment portion and the connecting portion, and the magazine support portion; The magazine contact portion presses the lower end portion of the magazine support portion upward. The binding machine according to claim 4.

6. The stapler further includes a moving portion that is supported by the magazine and moves the staple positioned at the upper end forward, the magazine support portion and the magazine contact portion are provided forward of the main body contact portion, The rotation shaft portion is provided forward of the magazine support portion and the magazine abutment portion. The binding machine according to claim 5.

7. the magazine support portion and the magazine contact portion are provided rearward of the main body contact portion, The rotation shaft portion is provided rearward of the magazine support portion and the magazine abutment portion. The binding machine according to claim 5.

8. The magazine includes: The magazine abutment portion is configured to be movable in the vertical direction and abuts against the magazine abutment portion when the magazine is attached. The binding machine according to claim 3.

9. The binding machine according to claim 8 , wherein the magazine further comprises an elastic member for biasing the contacted portion downward.

10. The rotating shaft portion is a first rotation shaft portion attached to the main body portion at a position forward and spaced to the left or right of the main body abutment portion; a second rotating shaft portion attached to the main body portion at a position forward and spaced to the right or left of the main body contact portion and facing the first rotating shaft portion in the left-right direction; The connection portion is a first connection portion that connects the main body abutment portion and the first rotation shaft portion; a second connection portion that connects the main body abutment portion and the second rotation shaft portion; The strapping machine according to claim 8, further comprising:

11. The main body abutment portion is configured to abut against the main body portion at a center portion of the main body portion in the vertical direction and the left-right direction that intersects with the front direction in the magazine attached state. The binding machine according to claim 10.

12. The binding machine according to claim 2 , wherein the insertion opening is formed so as to be visible in a bottom view of the binding machine from below.

Images