Binding machine

Abstract

To provide a binding machine that allows a staple to be comparatively easily removed after binding.SOLUTION: A binding machine according to the present disclosure, which is a binding machine that has a first leg portion, a second leg portion, and a main body portion connecting the first leg portion and the second leg portion and that binds a binding target so as to surround the binding target with the first leg portion by using a staple that opens forward, includes: a clincher portion that deforms the first leg portion by pressing the first leg portion; a staple pressing portion that presses the first leg portion against the clincher portion; a staple guide portion that guides the staple while the first leg portion is deformed; and a guide moving portion that moves the staple guide portion to a guide release position that is a position at which guide of the staple by the staple guide portion is released after the first leg portion is deformed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

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" or "object to be bound") 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] However, for example, in the binding machine described in Patent Document 3, it is thought that there is a possibility that the staples and the objects to be bound cannot be easily removed from the binding machine after the objects to be bound have been bound with the staples. For example, if the spiral shape of the legs of the staples cannot be stably formed, it is thought that there is a possibility that a part of the push-out member that moves the staples above the binding machine after binding is completed will be pinched by the spiral shape of the staple, making it impossible to remove the staples.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a binding machine that allows for relatively easy removal of staples after binding. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A binding machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure has a first leg portion, a second leg portion, and a main body portion connecting the first leg portion and the second leg portion, and uses a staple that opens forward to bind an object by surrounding it with the first leg portion. The binding machine is equipped with a clincher portion that deforms the first leg portion of the staple when pressed against it, a staple pressing portion that presses the first leg portion against the clincher portion, a staple guide portion that guides the staple while the first leg portion is being deformed, and a guide moving portion that moves the staple guide portion to a guide release position where, after the first leg portion is deformed, the guiding of the staple by the staple guide portion is released.

[0008] 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.

[0009] 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.

[0010] 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" or a "second object to be bound," such as a plant) with a staple and then engaging, for example, both ends (two tips) of the staple with the other object (which may be called a "first object," "first object to be bound," "guide," or "guide element," such as a wire, beam, string, rod, pipe, or tree branch).

[0011] The top view refers to a viewpoint seen from a direction perpendicular to a plane that passes through the first leg portion, the second leg portion, and the main body portion before binding, and may also be called a plan view. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The present disclosure provides a strapping machine that allows for relatively easy removal of staples after strapping. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a plan view (top view) showing a staple before deformation to be bound by a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a staple after deformation that is bound by a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a clincher portion according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a top view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is a top view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 7C] FIG. 7C is a perspective view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 8A] FIG. 8A is a top view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 8C] FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 9A] FIG. 9A is a top view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 9B] FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a top view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 12A] FIG. 12A is a top view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 12B] FIG. 12B is a top view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 13A] FIG. 13A is a top view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 13B] FIG. 13B is a perspective view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 13C] FIG. 13C is a perspective view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 14A] FIG. 14A is a top view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 14B] FIG. 14B is a perspective view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 14C] FIG. 14C is a perspective view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 15A] FIG. 15A is a top view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 15B] FIG. 15B is a perspective view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 15C] FIG. 15C is a perspective view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 15D] FIG. 15D is a cross-sectional view of a strapping machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 16A] FIG. 16A is a top view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 16B] FIG. 16B is a perspective view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 16C] FIG. 16C is a perspective view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 16D] FIG. 16D is a cross-sectional view of a strapping machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 17A] FIG. 17A is a cross-sectional view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 17B] FIG. 17B is a perspective view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are merely examples for explaining the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to these embodiments.

[0015] [Configuration of Staple S] First, the configuration of the staple S according to this embodiment will be described. The staple S is made of a wire material having plasticity that allows it to be plastically deformed. The staple S may also be called a wire or a clip. The staple S includes, for example, a metal wire material or a metal staple (including those whose surfaces are plated or coated with resin or the like).

[0016] Fig. 1A is a plan view of the staple S in a state before binding (sometimes referred to as "before deformation"; the same applies hereinafter) according to this embodiment. Fig. 1B is a perspective view of the staple S in a state after binding (sometimes referred to as "after deformation" or "when engaged"; the same applies hereinafter) according to this embodiment.

[0017] First, the configuration of the staple S before bundling will be described. 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 bundling, 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 in the plane of the paper in FIG. 1A) may be referred to as the opening direction DR1 (of the staple S). Furthermore, a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the staple S (for example, the opening direction DR1 in the case of the second leg S2 of the staple S in this embodiment) and perpendicular to the stacking direction, which will be described later, may be referred to as the side direction (of that portion 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 called a stacking direction or connecting direction, and in particular, the front direction perpendicular to the paper surface in Fig. 1A may be called the upper stacking direction (of the staples S), and the depth direction perpendicular to the paper surface in Fig. 1A may be called 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 100.

[0018] More specifically, 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; and a second leg S2 connected to the other end of the main body S3 and including 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.

[0019] 1B, 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 100, 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.

[0020] When the hook portion S24 engages with the first object G, the third portion S23 exerts an elastic force in a direction that widens the opening and returns to its original position. 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 come undone from enclosing the second object P.

[0021] [Strapping machine configuration] An example of the configuration of a binding machine 100 for bending the staple S shown in Figure 1A as shown in Figure 1B will be described below, although the binding machine may have other known configurations.

[0022] 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 100 of this embodiment are the same, so each configuration of the binding machine 100 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.

[0023] 4 (described later), the left side of the paper surface is referred to as the forward direction X1, and the opposite right side of the paper surface is referred to as the rearward direction X2, and both directions may be collectively referred to as the forward and rearward direction X. As described above, the forward direction X1 corresponds to the direction in which the staples S at the upper ends of the connected staples supported by the magazine 140 move after separating from the other staples S, and also coincides with the opening direction DR1 of the staples S (FIG. 1A).

[0024] 4 is referred to as the upward direction Z1, and the opposite downward direction Z2, and both directions may be collectively referred to as the vertical direction Z. In this embodiment, the vertical direction Z corresponds to the extension direction of the magazine 140 and also coincides with the connecting direction DR2 (stacking direction) of the connected staples S supported by the magazine 140. Furthermore, the forward direction perpendicular to the paper surface in the same figure is referred to as the leftward direction Y1, and the opposite depth direction perpendicular to the paper surface is referred to as the rightward direction Y2, and both directions may be collectively referred to as the leftward direction Y. Furthermore, a top view (bottom view) refers to the viewpoint when the binding machine 100, 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 100, 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 100, etc. is viewed from a left Y1 toward a right Y2 (from a right Y2 toward a left Y1).

[0025] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the binding machine 100 as seen from above Z1. Fig. 3 is a top view of the binding machine 100 as seen from above Z1 (top view of the binding machine 100), and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the binding machine 100 cut along an imaginary plane that is perpendicular to the left-right direction Y and passes through the center of the binding machine 100 in the left-right direction Y.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2 and other figures, the binding machine 100 includes a grip 120 that extends in the vertical direction so as to be grasped by a user and that is provided with a switch for driving the binding machine 100, a magazine 140 that is configured to support (hold) a plurality of staples S (sometimes referred to as "connected staples S") that are stacked and connected in the vertical direction, and a binding unit that is configured to be able to bind two objects, a first object G and a second object P, using one staple S. Here, the portion of the binding machine 100 that includes the grip 120 and the binding unit, excluding the detachably provided magazine 140, may be referred to as a main body 150. The binding machine 100 further includes a magazine attachment unit 160 that is configured to detachably attach the magazine 140 to the main body 150.

[0027] [Bundling section configuration] An example of the configuration of the binding unit of the binding machine 100 for bending the staple S shown in Fig. 1A to Fig. 1B will be described below. However, other known configurations may be adopted as means for deforming the staple.

[0028] The binding machine 100 includes a binding unit in addition to the magazine 140 described above. The binding unit is a section that bends staples to bind objects together. The binding unit of this embodiment includes a first displacement unit 200 that displaces a first leg S1 of the staple S so that it can engage with a first object G, and a second displacement unit 300 that displaces a second leg S2 of the staple S so that it can engage with the first object G.

[0029] The first displacement section 200 is provided in front of the first leg S1 and has a hole with an inner wall surface including a cylindrical surface. With the first object G inserted on the central axis of this cylindrical surface, the binding machine 100 causes the tip S1P of the first leg S1 of the staple S, which is advanced by the driver 142, to abut (collide) against the inner wall surface, thereby 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 300 has a wall provided in front of the second leg S2. In the binding machine 100, with the first leg S1, second leg S2, and main body S3 of the staple S surrounding the second object P, the driver 142 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 100 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.

[0030] Specifically, the binding machine 100 includes a driver 142 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 142, a first displacement section 200 (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 300 for deforming the second leg S2 of the staple S by bending or bending it.

[0031] [Driver and driver movement mechanism] As described in Patent Document 3 and other documents, the binding machine 100 is configured to be able to move the nut component 152 and the driver 142 fixed thereto forward or backward by using the built-in motor 154 to rotate a ball screw 180, which is installed extending in the front-to-rear direction through approximately the center of the binding machine 100, in a forward or reverse direction. Because the nut component 152 and the driver 142 are configured to be able to move forward X1 and backward X2, they are sometimes referred to as moving parts. The binding machine 100 further includes a reducer connected to the output shaft of the motor 154 and a printed circuit board on which a CPU corresponding to a control device for the motor 154 is mounted.

[0032] The driver 142 is configured to be able to move forward X1, by moving forward X1, to separate the uppermost staple S of the plurality of staples S held in the magazine 140 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. The driver 142 is configured to move the separated staple S further forward X1, to bring the first leg S1 into contact with the first displacement portion 200, thereby plastically deforming the first leg S1, and to bring the second leg S2 into contact with a guide wall included in the second displacement portion 300, thereby plastically deforming the second leg S2.

[0033] [First displacement section] The first displacement section 200 (an example of a "displacement section") has the function of displacing the first leg S1 of the staple S, which is moved forward X1 by the driver 142, so as to be capable of engaging with the first object G by deforming it spirally so as to surround the first object G.

[0034] The first displacement section 200 according to the present 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 142, 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. The hole is provided in the front X1 of the first leg S1 so 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 100 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.

[0035] According to this configuration, when the first object G, which is, for example, a guide string, is positioned so as to extend 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 advances in a spiral along the cylindrical inner wall surface of the hole, so that the tip ST is deformed in a spiral shape around the first object G, and it becomes possible to engage the tip ST with the first object G. In this embodiment, the hole described here is realized by the clincher portion 210, which will be described later.

[0036] [Second displacement section] The second displacement section 300 (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 142 so that the second leg S2 can engage with the first object G. Although detailed description will be omitted 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 of this application, including Patent Document 3 and the like, the second displacement section 300 according to this embodiment is configured to displace the second leg S2 inward of the staple S as the driver 142 moves forward X1. Specifically, the second displacement section 300 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.

[0037] Furthermore, the second displacement portion 300 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.

[0038] With this configuration, the second leg S2 of the staple S, which is advanced by the driver 142, 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.

[0039] As described above, of the staple S advanced by the driver 142, the first leg S1 is deformed spirally by the first displacement portion 200 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 300, thereby making it possible to bind the first object G and the second object P together.

[0040] The binding machine 100 according to this embodiment will be described in detail below, focusing on the first displacement section 200.

[0041] The binding machine 100 according to this embodiment includes a separating section (separating section 220, described later) that separates the leg section (first leg section S1) of the staple S from the clincher section 210. That is, the binding machine 100 according to this embodiment includes the first leg section S1, the second leg section S2, and a main section S3 that connects the first leg section S1 and the second leg section S2, and binds an object to be bound G (first object to be bound G) using a staple that opens in the forward direction X1, and includes the clincher section 210 that deforms the first leg section S1 of the staple S so as to surround the object to be bound G, and the separating section 220 that separates the first leg section S1 deformed by the clincher section 210 from the clincher section 210.

[0042] With the above-described configuration, the binding machine 100 according to this embodiment can relatively easily remove the staple S from the binding machine 100 after binding the objects to be bound, as will be described below. That is, in the binding machine 100 according to this embodiment, the separating unit 220 is configured to separate the deformed first leg S1 from the clincher unit 210 after the clincher unit 210 has deformed the first leg S1 to complete binding of the objects to be bound G (first objects to be bound G). Therefore, the deformed staple S can be relatively easily discharged from the binding machine 100 after binding is completed.

[0043] In the binding machine etc. described in Patent Document 3, after binding an object to be bound with staples, it may not be possible to easily remove the staples and the object to be bound from the binding machine. For example, in the binding machine etc. described in Patent Document 3, the legs of the staples are deformed into a spiral shape, and the spirally deformed legs of the staples are pushed upward by a pusher or the like, and the staples are discharged from the binding machine. At this time, for example, if the spiral shape cannot be stably formed, it is thought that there is a possibility that a part of the pusher member, which moves the staples upward in the binding machine after binding is completed, will be pinched by the spiral shape of the staple, making it impossible to remove the staples.

[0044] In the binding machine 100 according to this embodiment, the separating unit 220 separates the first leg S1, which has been deformed into a spiral shape or the like, from the clincher unit 210. Therefore, for example, the staple S including the deformed first leg S1 can be ejected from the space formed between the first leg S1 and the clincher unit 210 by the separating unit 220. In addition, for example, since the staple S can be ejected without using a push-out member, it is also possible to prevent a part of the push-out member from being pinched by the spiral shape formed in the first leg S1 as described above.

[0045] The binding machine 100 according to this embodiment is configured to bind the first object G by, for example, deforming the first leg S1 of the staple S into a spiral shape using the clincher unit 210. At this time, a groove (groove 212, described below) is provided in the portion of the clincher unit 210 with which the first leg S1 abuts, so that the first leg S1 is deformed stably into a spiral shape. In binding machines such as the binding machine described in Patent Document 3, for example, the tip of the first leg of the staple in the middle of being deformed into a spiral shape may come into contact with another portion of the first leg (e.g., a part of the straight portion), making it impossible to form a spiral shape. It is also conceivable that the tip may deviate from the desired spiral path.

[0046] The first leg S1 is biased forward X1 by the driver while abutting against the groove 212 of the clincher portion 210, and is thereby deformed along the groove 212 to form a spiral shape. This reduces the possibility that the tip of the staple will come into contact with other parts of the staple, preventing the formation of a spiral shape, or that the tip will deviate from the desired spiral path, as described above. However, at this time, the spiral portion of the first leg S1 may become engaged with the groove 212, making it difficult to eject the staple S after binding with the staple S. For example, if the spiral portion of the first leg S1 is engaged with the groove 212 of the clincher portion 210 in the front-to-rear direction X immediately after binding, it may become difficult to eject the first leg S1 from the clincher portion 210 in the up-down direction Z. In the binding machine 100 according to this embodiment, the first leg S1 and the clincher portion 210 are separated by the separating portion 220 after binding is completed, thereby disengaging the spiral portion of the first leg S1 from the groove portion 212 of the clincher portion 210. This allows the staple S to be ejected from the binding machine 100 relatively easily.

[0047] As will be described later, in the binding machine 100 according to this embodiment, for example, a groove 212 is provided in the clincher portion 210, and the first leg S1 is deformed into a spiral shape along the groove 212, thereby making it possible to stably form the spiral shape of the first leg S1. At this time, by separating the spiral portion of the first leg S1 from the groove 212 of the clincher portion 210, the staple S can be easily discharged while stably forming the spiral shape of the first leg S1.

[0048] 5 is a perspective view of the clincher portion 210. As shown in FIG. 5, the clincher portion 210 has a groove 212. The groove 212 is configured to deform the first leg S1 of the staple S.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, the groove 212 is formed on a surface of the clincher portion 210 extending in the up-down direction Z (the curved surface 210s in FIG. 5) along the curved surface 210s so as to be oblique with respect to the left-right direction Y and the up-down direction Z. That is, the groove 212 is provided so as to be oblique with respect to the up-down direction (Z direction). Therefore, when the first leg S1 abuts against the clincher portion 210 while being urged forward X1, the tip S1P (FIG. 1A) of the first leg S1 moves along the groove 212. When the tip S1P moves along the groove 212, the first leg S1 moves counterclockwise in a top view (a direction from right to left on the paper in FIG. 5) and obliquely from top to bottom in a cross-sectional view (a direction from top right to bottom left in FIG. 5). That is, since the groove 212 is provided so as to be inclined with respect to the up-down direction (Z direction), the tip S1P of the first leg S1 is deformed into a spiral shape by being pressed while abutting against the inclined inner surface of the groove 212. As a result, the first leg S1 is deformed into a spiral shape. Furthermore, by using the clincher part 210 provided with the groove 212, the spacing (pitch) of the spiral shape can also be stabilized.

[0050] 5, the groove 212 has a first displacement guide portion 212a and a second displacement guide portion 212b. That is, in this embodiment, the groove 212 has the first displacement guide portion 212a that guides the horizontal displacement of the first leg S1 and the second displacement guide portion 212b that guides the vertical displacement of the first leg S1, and the second displacement guide portion 212b is configured to be able to guide the first leg S1 while deforming it so that the multiple periodic structures that make up the spiral shape of the first leg S1 are misaligned with each other in the vertical direction Z.

[0051] 5, the first displacement guide portion 212a is a portion of the groove portion 212 that is parallel to the curved surface 210s, and the second displacement guide portion 212b is a portion of the first displacement guide portion 212a in the up-down direction Z in the groove portion 212. The second displacement guide portion 212b includes an upper second displacement guide portion 212b1 and a lower second displacement guide portion 212b2 that are provided on the upper direction Z1 and the lower direction Z2 of the first displacement guide portion 212a, respectively.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first displacement guide portion 212a is provided so as to be positioned opposite the tip S1P of the first leg S1 when deformation of the first leg S1 is initiated by the clincher portion 210. This allows deformation of the first leg S1 by the clincher portion 210 to be initiated along the groove portion 212. In this embodiment, the tip S1P of the first leg S1 is configured to face a position shifted in either the left-right direction (Y direction) from the center of the groove portion 212 (near the center in the left-right direction (Y direction)). Furthermore, when the staple S moves forward (in the X1 direction) relative to the clincher portion 210 and the first leg S1 abuts at a position shifted in either the left-right direction from the center of the groove portion 212, and the staple S further moves forward, the first leg S1 is guided by the groove portion 212 to form a spiral shape.

[0053] In this way, in the binding machine 100 according to this embodiment, the clincher unit 210 may be configured to be positioned opposite the tip S1P of the leg (first leg S1) of the staple S, and to bind the objects to be bound by bringing the clincher unit 210 and the first leg S1 close to each other and pressing them together. That is, in this embodiment, the clincher unit 210 may be configured to be positioned opposite the tip S1P of the first leg S1 of the staple S, and to bind the objects to be bound G by bringing the tip S1P of the first leg S1 close to the clincher unit 210 and pressing the first leg S1 of the staple S against the clincher unit 210 to deform the first leg S1.

[0054] Furthermore, the spacing portion 220 causes the first leg S1 of the staple S after displacement to recede to a position where it does not interfere with the second displacement guide portion 212b2 of the clincher portion 210 in a top view. That is, in this embodiment, the spacing portion 220 is configured to move the first leg S1 to a position where it does not interfere with the second displacement guide portion 212b2 in a top view (as viewed from above Z1) after the first leg S1 is deformed by the clincher portion 210. This causes the engagement of the first leg S1 with the clincher portion 210 to be released, as will be described later, so that the staple S can be put into a state where it can be easily discharged in, for example, the up-and-down direction Z.

[0055] 5, the clincher portion 210 is provided with a hole 210h that penetrates the clincher portion 210 in a horizontal direction (for example, the front-rear direction X). The clincher portion 210 is fixed to the binding machine 100 by inserting a screw 290 (see FIG. 3) into the hole 210h.

[0056] In this embodiment, the clincher unit 210 may be provided so as to be detachable from the binding machine 100. For example, when the clincher unit 210 is worn out due to repeated binding operations, it can be replaced. Note that the clincher unit 210 may be configured so as to be detachable from above (Z1 direction) or below (Z2 direction), for example.

[0057] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 18, the configuration of the binding machine 100 according to this embodiment, in which the first displacement section 200 binds the objects to be bound using the first leg section S1 of the staple S, will be described in further detail.

[0058] FIG. 6 is an enlarged top view showing a portion of the front X1 of the binding machine 100. Note that FIG. 6 shows a state before the staples S are loaded. As shown in FIG. 6, the first displacement section 200 is provided with a holder section 222 in addition to the configuration described above with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. In this embodiment, the holder section 222 functions as the separation section 220. The holder section 222 is configured to be movable in the front X1 and rear X2 directions in the binding machine 100. In addition, in this embodiment, the holder section 222 is configured to be movable in conjunction with the driver 142. Therefore, by rotating the ball screw 180 in the forward or reverse direction, the holder section 222 is configured to be movable in the front X1 and rear X2 directions.

[0059] In the present embodiment, the spacing portion 220 may separate the first leg portion S1 of the staple S from the clincher portion 210 by the holder portion 222 moving the staple. That is, in the present embodiment, the spacing portion 220 may have a holder portion 222 that engages with the staple S from the opening direction DR1 (forward X1) of the staple S, and may be configured to separate the first leg portion S1 from the clincher portion 210 by moving the holder portion 222 rearward X2.

[0060] 7A to 9C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the holder portion 222 separating the staple S from the clincher portion 210 in this embodiment. FIGS. 7A, 8A, and 9A are top views of the binding machine 100, and FIGS. 7B, 8B, and 9B are longitudinal cross-sectional views of the binding machine 100. FIG. 7C is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the front of the binding machine 100. FIG. 8C is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the front of the binding machine 100. FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C show a state in which the binding machine 100 is binding objects G, FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C show a state after the binding machine 100 has completed binding the objects G, and FIGS. 9A and 9B show a state in which the binding machine 100 can further discharge the staple S after completing binding the objects G.

[0061] 7A, 7B, and 7C, the holder portion 222 has a first holding portion 222a provided on the front X1 and a second holding portion 222b provided on the right Y2. During binding of objects G by the binding machine 100, the holder portion 222 supports the crank portion S11 of the staple S from the inside (front X1) of the staple S by the first holding portion 222a, and also supports the crank portion S11 from the inside (right Y2) of the staple S by the second holding portion 222b. Therefore, the surface of the first holding portion 222a facing the rear X2 abuts against the front surface of the crank portion S11 and supports the crank portion S11. In addition, the rear surface of the crank portion S11 abuts against a flat surface facing the front X1 of the driver 142, making it possible to clamp and support the crank portion S11 of the staple S from the outside and inside (from the front-to-back direction) of the staple S.

[0062] On the other hand, the surface of the second holding portion 222b facing outward (to the left Y1) abuts against the inner surface of the main body portion S3 of the staple S to support the main body portion S3. Since the outer surface of the main body portion S3 abuts against the curved surface of the driver 142, it becomes possible to support the main body portion S3 by sandwiching it from the outside and the inside of the staple S. In addition to the above-mentioned configuration, it becomes possible to support the staple S from the top and bottom directions by the ceiling surface of the driver 142, etc. Therefore, it becomes possible to support the staple S from four directions, namely, top, bottom, left and right. Therefore, it becomes possible to advance the staple S while maintaining the shapes of the curved main body portion S3 and the crank portion S11 which easily bends when bent.

[0063] The holder portion 222 may be entirely or at least partially composed of a biasing member. For example, by configuring the holder portion 222 from an elastic member and biasing it rearward, the first holding portion 222a can be pressed against the front surface of the crank portion S11 and supported. The holder portion 222 may include only one of the first holding portion 222a and the second holding portion 222b. In the binding machine 100 according to this embodiment, the holder portion 222 is formed of a metal member held in a cantilevered beam shape, and therefore may be configured to be elastically deformable. Only the rear X2 end of the holder portion 222 may be fixed to the driver 142, and the front X1 end may not be fixed to any member. In this case, the holder portion 222 is configured to be movable, for example, in the vertical direction Z around the fixed end.

[0064] 8A, 8B, and 8C, after bundling by the bundling machine 100 is completed, the holder portion 222 moves rearward X2 while holding the crank portion S11 of the staple S. As a result, as shown in Fig. 8A, the first leg portion S1 of the staple S moves away from the clincher portion 210. Therefore, as the holder portion 222 moves rearward X2, the engagement between the first leg portion S1 and the clincher portion 210 is released.

[0065] 8B and 8C, as the holder portion 222 moves rearward X2, it comes into contact with the timing plate 228 (also referred to as the "release portion" in this embodiment) located at the rear X2 of the holder portion 222 in the state shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Also, as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, at this time, a rear inclined surface 222r2 formed on the lower Z2 and rear X2 side of the holder portion 222 comes into contact with a front inclined surface 228r1 formed on the upper Z1 and front X1 side of the timing plate 228. As the holder portion 222 moves further rearward X2 in a state in which the rear inclined surface 222r2 of the holder portion 222 and the front inclined surface 228r1 of the timing plate 228 are in contact with each other, the holder portion 222 moves upward Z1 along the front inclined surface 228r1. Thereafter, the holder portion 222 is further moved rearward X2, whereby the holder portion 222 is disengaged from the crank portion S11. In this manner, in the present embodiment, the holder portion 222 disengages from the staple S after moving a predetermined distance rearward X2 in a state where the holder portion 222 is engaged with the staple S.

[0066] In the present embodiment, as described above, the timing plate 228 functioning as a releasing portion is configured to release the engagement of the holder portion 222 with the staples S by retracting the holder portion 222 upward Z1, but the releasing portion may be configured to release the engagement of the holder portion 222 with the staples S by retracting the holder portion 222 downward Z2. In other words, the binding machine 100 according to the present embodiment includes a releasing portion (timing plate 228) that releases the engagement of the holder portion 222 with the staples S, and the releasing portion (timing plate 228) may release the engagement of the holder portion 222 with the staples S by retracting the holder portion 222 upward Z1 or downward Z2.

[0067] 9A and 9B, from the state described with reference to FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C, the driver 142 moves rearward X2, causing the holder portion 222 to move further rearward X2, disengaging not only the crank portion S11 of the staple S that had been held by the holder portion 222, but also the main body portion S3 that had been urged forward X1 by the driver 142 and engaged therewith. Although not shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, at this time, binding of the second leg portion S2 by the second displacement portion 300, which will be described later, has also been completed, and the second leg portion S2 has also been disengaged from any of the components of the binding machine 100. In this way, the staple S becomes ready to be discharged from the binding machine 100.

[0068] 9B, at this time, holder portion 222 has moved further rearward X2 from timing plate 228. After the state shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, holder portion 222 moves further rearward X2, whereby forward inclined surface 222r1 of holder portion 222 moves rearward X2 while abutting rearward inclined surface 228r2 of timing plate 228, and is moved downward Z2 along rearward inclined surface 228r2. Thus, as shown in FIG. 9B, holder portion 222 returns to approximately the same height in the up-down direction Z as in the state shown in FIG. 7B.

[0069] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the binding machine 100 after binding has been completed by the binding machine 100. Fig. 10 also shows the object G bound with the staple S. As shown in Fig. 10, the holder portion 222 is retracted to the rear X2. That is, in the state shown in Fig. 10, the staple S is bound to the first object G by the first leg portion S1 and the second leg portion S2 and can be discharged.

[0070] As described above, in this embodiment, the holder portion 222 supports the crank portion S11 of the staple S during the binding operation, and after binding is completed, the engagement between the first leg portion S1 and the clincher portion 210 is released, thereby making the staple S ready to be discharged.

[0071] In this embodiment, the first leg S1 and the clincher 210 may be configured to be separated by moving the clincher 210 in the forward direction X1. FIG. 11 is a top view of the binding machine 100A in this case. As shown in FIG. 11, the binding machine 100A has a first link 229a and a second link 229b. One end (the end on the rear X2 side) of the first link 229a is coupled to the driver 142, and the other end (the end on the front X1 side) is coupled to the second link 229b. One end of the second link 229b is coupled to the first link 229a, and the other end is coupled to the clincher 210. With this configuration, the clincher 210 is configured to be movable in the forward and backward direction X via the first link 229a and the second link 229b in conjunction with the operation of the driver 142.

[0072] Fig. 12A is a top view showing a state during bundling using staples S by bundling machine 100A. Fig. 12B is a top view showing a state after bundling by bundling machine 100A is completed. As shown in Figs. 12A and 12B, the first leg S1 and the clincher portion 210, which are engaged with each other during bundling, are separated after bundling is completed by moving the clincher portion 210 forward X1 relative to the first leg S1 by first link 229a and second link 229b. This allows the staple S to be discharged, as shown in Fig. 12B.

[0073] 13A to 18, another configuration for separating the first leg portion S1 and the clincher portion 210 in this embodiment will be described. As will be described below, the binding machine 100B according to this embodiment may include a string guide portion 224 (binding object guide portion 224). That is, in the binding machine 100B according to this embodiment, the separating portion 220 may have a binding object guide portion 224 that holds the binding object G (first binding object G) at the binding position while binding the binding object G with the staple S, and may be configured to separate the first leg portion S1 and the clincher portion 210 by moving the binding object guide portion 224 backward X2.

[0074] 13A to 16D are diagrams illustrating the operation of separating the staple S from the clincher portion 210 by the binding target guide portion 224 in this embodiment. FIGS. 13A, 14A, 15A, and 16A are enlarged top views of the first displacement portion 200 and its vicinity of the binding machine 100B, and FIGS. 13B, 14B, 15B, 16B, 13C, 14C, 15C, and 16C are enlarged perspective views of the first displacement portion 200 and its vicinity of the binding machine 100B. FIGS. 13B, 14B, 15B, and 16B show a state in which a portion of the staple guide portion 230 (described later) is covered from the outside by a cover member 292. FIGS. 13C, 14C, 15C, and 16C show a state in which the cover member 292 is removed. 15D and 16D are enlarged cross-sectional views showing the vicinity of the first displacement section 200 of the binding machine 100B. Also, FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C show the state immediately after the binding machine 100B has completed binding of the previous object G, discharged the staples S, and engaged the next object G to be bound. FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C show the state immediately before the binding machine 100B starts binding the object G. FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D show the state immediately after the binding machine 100B has completed binding the object G. FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D show the state immediately after the binding machine 100B has completed binding the object G. 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D show a state in which the staples S can be discharged after the binding machine 100B has completed binding of the objects G to be bound.

[0075] As shown in Figures 13A and 13B, the binding machine 100B includes a string guide section 224 that functions as a spacing section 220, and the string guide section 224 has a string holding section 224a (binding object holding section 224a) and a guide section 224b.

[0076] The string holding portion 224a (binding object holding portion 224a) is provided on the front X1 side of the string guide portion 224. The binding object holding portion 224a is configured to restrict movement of the binding object G held at the binding position by the binding object guide portion 224. The binding object holding portion 224a restricts movement of the binding object G, for example, toward the front X1, during a binding operation by the binding machine 100B, thereby restricting movement of the binding object G so that the binding object G is positioned near the central axis of the spiral shape formed by the first leg portion S1. This makes it possible to suppress damage, for example, to the binding object G that may occur due to contact with the first leg portion S1 during the binding operation.

[0077] The guide portion 224b is provided at the rear X2 of the string guide portion 224. The guide portion 224b is configured to guide the binding object G to the binding position. The guide portion 224b includes a first guide surface 224b1, a second guide surface 224b2, and a third guide surface 224b3. The first guide surface 224b1, the second guide surface 224b2, and the third guide surface 224b3 are provided so as to be connected to one another in this order from the binding object insertion opening 224s of the binding object guide portion 224 to the innermost binding position 224t of the binding object guide portion 224. Therefore, the binding object G inserted into the binding object guide section 224 through the binding object insertion port 224s is moved along the first guide surface 224b1, the second guide surface 224b2, and the third guide surface 224b3 by the guide section 224b, which has a first guide surface 224b1, a second guide surface 224b2, and a third guide surface 224b3, and is guided to the binding position 224t.

[0078] In the binding machine 100B, the clincher unit 210 is disposed below the string guide unit 224 at Z2.

[0079] 13C, the binding machine 100B also includes a staple guide portion 230. The staple guide portion 230 is configured to guide the staples S while the first leg portion S1 is binding the object to be bound G. The staple guide portion 230 has an oval hole portion 230c when viewed from the right side Y2, and the staple guide position restricting member 190a and the staple guide position restricting member 190b are engaged with the hole portion 230c, thereby engaging with the main body portion 150. The staple guide portion 230 is also configured to operate in conjunction with the driver 142, and is moved forward X1 and backward X2 as the driver moves the staple guide in the front-rear direction X by engaging the hole portion 230c with the staple guide position restricting member 190a and the staple guide position restricting member 190b.

[0080] 14A, 14B, and 14C, immediately before the binding operation of the binding target G using the first leg portion S1 by the binding machine 100B is started, the staple guide portion 230 is moved obliquely upward (upward Z1 and forward X1) from the state shown in FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C. At this time, for example, as shown in FIGS. 14B and 14C, the staple guide portion 230 may be configured to be moved until its upper surface (upward Z1 surface) abuts against the lower surface (lower Z2 surface) of the binding target guide portion 224. The staple guide portion 230 is configured to guide the movement of the staple S in the left-right direction Y during the binding operation by restricting movement of the staple S to the right Y2 during the binding operation. Therefore, for example, by moving the staple guide portion 230 until its upper surface abuts the lower surface of the binding object guide portion 224 before the binding operation is started, the staple guide portion 230 can be prevented from being biased against the staple S by the clincher portion 210 or the like during the binding operation, thereby preventing the staple S from moving to the right Y2.

[0081] As shown in Figures 13A to 14C, the binding machine 100B may further include a binding object regulating section 226 (string regulating section 226) in front of the string guide section 224 (binding object guide section 224) in the front-rear direction X1. The binding object regulating section 226 is configured to be movable, for example, in the front-rear direction. For example, the binding object regulating section 226 moves from the front X1 to the rear X2 while transitioning from the state shown in Figure 13A to the state shown in Figure 14A.

[0082] 13A, the binding object restricting portion 226 retreats to the front X1 when the binding object G is engaged with the binding object guide portion 224, and then, immediately before the start of binding as shown in FIG. 14A, moves rearward X2 so that a part of the binding object restricting portion 226 (end portion 226e at the rear X2) is positioned in the Y2 direction of the binding object G. Therefore, the binding operation of the binding object G can be performed in a state in which the binding object restricting portion 226 restricts movement of the binding object G in the Y2 direction. In the binding machine 100B according to this embodiment, the binding object restricting portion 226 restricts movement of the binding object G in this way, and can function as the binding object holding portion of this embodiment, similar to the binding object holding portion 224a.

[0083] Immediately after the binding machine 100B has completed binding of the objects to be bound G using the first leg portion S1, as shown in Figures 15A, 15B, and 15C, the upper surface of the staple guide portion 230 is in contact with the lower surface of the object to be bound guide portion 224, similar to the state described above with reference to Figures 14A, 14B, and 14C. At this time, the first leg portion S1 has been deformed to form a spiral shape with the object to be bound G as its central axis, and the second leg portion S2 has been deformed by the above-mentioned second displacement portion 300, and the hook portion S24 is engaged with the object to be bound G. Also, as shown in Figure 15D, in this state, a portion of the spiral shape formed by the first leg portion S1 overlaps with and engages with the clincher portion 210 in a top view.

[0084] After the binding machine 100B has completed binding of the objects G using the first leg S1, as shown in FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 16C, the binding object guide 224 is moved rearward X2 from the state described above with reference to FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C. The binding object guide 224 is moved rearward X2, for example, in conjunction with the driver 142. As the binding object guide 224 is moved rearward X2, the first leg S1 and the clincher 210, which were engaged with each other in the state shown in FIG. 15D, are separated from each other, as can be seen from the cross-sectional view of FIG. 16D. In this way, in the binding machine 100B according to this embodiment, the binding object guide 224 functions as the separating unit 220.

[0085] In the binding machine 100B, the first leg S1 and the clincher unit 210 can be separated from each other by moving the binding object guide unit 224 backward X2 and moving the binding object G, such as a guide string, backward X2. In the binding machine 100B according to this embodiment, with this configuration, even in the event of an abnormality, such as the first leg S1 not forming a spiral shape along the groove 212 of the clincher unit 210 during a binding operation, the staple S can be easily removed from the clincher unit 210 by separating the staple S from the clincher unit 210. Even when no abnormality occurs, the binding machine 100B's configuration allows the staple S to be easily discharged from the clincher unit. For example, the staple S can be relatively easily discharged from the binding machine 100B without the push-out member used in the binding machine described in Patent Document 3.

[0086] When binding is performed by deforming the first leg S1 of the staple S into a spiral shape with the object to be bound G as the central axis, if the clincher 210 is provided with a groove 212 so as to stably deform the first leg S1 into a spiral shape, the first leg S1 engages with the groove 212 of the clincher 210 during the binding operation. The groove 212 has second displacement guide portions 212b1 and 212b2 in the upper and lower directions, respectively, and therefore it may be difficult to eject the first leg S1 engaged with the groove 212 in the upper and lower directions Z during the binding operation. As with the binding machine 100, in the binding machine 100B, as the first leg S1 and the clincher portion 210 separate after binding is completed, the binding object guide portion 224 can be moved rearward X2 to a position where the engagement between the first leg S1 and the clincher portion 210 is released, thereby making it possible to relatively easily eject the staple S.

[0087] 16A, 16B, and 16C, the staple guide portion 230 is moved rearward X2 from the state immediately after completion of binding described above with reference to FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C. The staple guide portion 230 is configured to move in conjunction with the binding object guide portion 224, and is moved rearward X2 in conjunction with the movement of the binding object guide portion 224 rearward X2. Note that the staple guide portion 230 is moved in oblique directions with respect to the front-rear direction X and the up-down direction Z (from the lower left to the upper right and from the upper right to the lower left on the plane of the drawing in FIG. 16C) relative to the main body portion 150 as a result of the holes 230c being engaged with the staple guide position restricting members 190a and 190b. With this configuration, the staple guide portion 230 transitions from the state shown in Fig. 15C to the state shown in Fig. 16C in conjunction with the movement of the binding target object guide portion 224 toward the rear X2, and moves downward (diagonally from the upper right to the lower left of the page in Fig. 16C), thereby exposing the first leg portion S1 of the staple S. At this time, the first leg portion S1 is exposed to the right (Y2) as shown in Fig. 16C.

[0088] 16B and 16C, the straight portion S12 (FIG. 1A) of the first leg S1, which is located to the left Y1 of the staple guide portion 230 in the state shown in FIGS. 15B and 15C and whose movement in the left-right direction Y is restricted by the staple guide portion 230, is exposed to the right Y2 as the staple guide portion 230 moves downward. With this configuration, in the binding machine 100B, the staples S can be relatively easily discharged to the right Y2 after binding is completed. As shown in FIGS. 16B and 16C, for example, the staples S can be discharged together with the binding object G by moving the binding object G from the binding position 224t of the binding object guide portion 224 toward the binding object insertion opening 224s along the guide portion 224b.

[0089] As described above, the binding machine 100B according to this embodiment has a first leg portion S1, a second leg portion S2, and a main body portion S3 that connects the first leg portion S1 and the second leg portion S2, and binds an object to be bound (first object to be bound G) by surrounding it with the first leg portion S1 using a staple S that opens forward X1. The binding machine 100B includes a clincher unit 210, a staple pressing unit (driver 142), a staple guide unit 230, and a guide moving unit 240. The clincher unit 210 is configured to deform the first leg portion S1 of the staple S when pressed against it. The staple pressing unit (driver 142) is configured to press the first leg portion S1 against the clincher unit 210. The staple guide unit 230 is configured to guide the staple S while the first leg portion S1 is being deformed. The guide moving portion 240 is configured to move the staple guide portion 230 to a guide release position where the guiding of the staple S by the staple guide portion 230 is released after the first leg portion S1 is deformed.

[0090] 15A to 15D and 16A to 16D, etc., the staple guide portion 230 is configured to expose the right side Y2 of the first leg portion S1 of the staple S by moving downward after the binding operation of the object to be bound G is completed, thereby releasing the guiding of the staple S by the staple guide portion 230. Therefore, in this embodiment, the guide release position of the staple guide 230 may be, for example, the position when the staple guide portion 230 has moved downward (FIGS. 16B and 16C).

[0091] In the binding machine 100B, this configuration makes it possible to easily discharge the staples S that have bound the objects G after the binding operation is completed. For example, in a binding machine such as the binding machine described in Patent Document 3, if the first leg S1 is not deformed into the desired spiral shape, it is possible that the push-up member will not be able to push up the staples S, and the staples S will not be able to be pushed up. In addition, at this time, it is possible that the push-up member will become caught in part of the spiral shape of the first leg S1, causing a jam.

[0092] In the binding machine 100B according to this embodiment, the above-described configuration causes the staples S to be released inward (inward in the binding machine 100B, rightward Y2 in FIGS. 16B and 16C ). This allows the staples S to be easily removed, for example, to the rightward Y2. Even if the tip S1P of the first leg S1 of the staple S does not move along the groove 212 of the clincher section 210 and the resulting spiral shape is distorted, the staples S are exposed, making it possible to easily remove the staples S. To remove the staples S, the staples G are moved along the guide portion 224b of the binding object guide section 224 to the binding object insertion opening 224s, allowing the staples S to be removed to the outside of the binding machine 100B. Therefore, the staples S can be removed relatively easily without using a push-up member for pushing up the staples, which is used in binding machines such as the binding machine disclosed in Patent Document 3.

[0093] The guide moving section 240 that moves the staple guide section 230 will be described below with reference to Figures 17A, 17B, and 18. Figure 17A is a vertical cross-sectional view parallel to the up-down direction Z and the front-to-back direction X of a portion of the upper Z1 of the binding machine 100B in a state in which the binding object guide section 224 has been moved rearward X2, and the staple guide section 230 has been moved rearward X2 in conjunction with the movement of the binding object guide section 224 rearward X2. Figure 17B is a perspective view of the binding machine 100B in a state in which the staple guide section 230 has been moved rearward X2. Figure 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the binding machine 100B in a state in which the binding object guide section 224 has been moved forward X1, and the staple guide section 230 has been moved forward X1 in conjunction with the movement of the binding object guide section 224 forward X1.

[0094] 17A and 17B, in the binding machine 100B, a link arm 162 and a process plate 164 are provided on the left side Y1. The process plate 164 is provided on the left side (Y2) of a plate support member 170 provided on the main body 150. The process plate 164 is configured to move in conjunction with the driver 142, and the process plate 164 moves in the front-to-back direction (X direction) relative to the plate support member 170 in conjunction with movement of the driver 142 in the front-to-back direction (X direction).

[0095] The process plate 164 is provided with a hole 164h extending in the front-rear direction X. The hole 164h includes a first horizontal portion 164h1 provided in the front X1, a second horizontal portion 164h2 provided in the rear X2, and an inclined portion 164h3 provided between the first horizontal portion 164h1 and the second horizontal portion 164h2. The first horizontal portion 164h1 and the second horizontal portion 164h2 are provided to extend in the front-rear direction X. The first horizontal portion 164h1 is provided below the second horizontal portion 164h2 in the Z direction (Z2). Therefore, the first horizontal portion 164h1 is provided diagonally below the second horizontal portion 164h2 (from the upper right to the lower left of the paper in FIG. 17A). The inclined portion 164h3 connects the first horizontal portion 164h1 and the second horizontal portion 164h2, and is provided so as to extend obliquely relative to the Z direction (from the upper right to the lower left of the paper in FIG. 17A).

[0096] One end (lower Z2 end (first end 162e1)) of the link arm 162 is configured to engage with a hole 164h of the process plate 164. The other end (upper Z1 end) of the link arm 162 is connected to a rod 242 that is connected to the binding object guide portion 224 (connected to the upper portion (upper Z1 end (second end 162e2)) of the binding object guide portion 224). At the front X1 end near the center (near the center in the up-down direction (near the center in the Z direction)), the link arm 162 has an elongated hole 162h that extends in the up-down direction (Z direction) and an engaging member 172a that engages with the link arm 162. At the rear X2 end, the link arm 162 is connected by a connecting member 172b so as to be rotatable relative to the driver support member 170. The rod 242 is configured to move in the front-to-rear direction (X direction) in conjunction with the rotation of the link arm 162 about the connecting member 172b. As the rod 242 moves in the front-to-rear direction (X direction), the binding target guide part 224 moves in the front-to-rear direction (X direction).

[0097] With this configuration, in the binding machine 100B, as the driver 142 moves from the rear X2 to the front X1, the process plate 164 moves from the rear X2 to the front X1 while transitioning from the state shown in FIG. 17A to the state shown in FIG. 18. Because the link arm 162 is engaged with the hole 164h of the process plate 164, when the process plate 164 moves forward X1, the first end 162e1 moves along the hole 164h. The first end 162e1 moves backward X2 relative to the process plate 164. The hole portion 164h has a first horizontal portion 164h1, a second horizontal portion 164h2, and an inclined portion 164h3, so that as the process plate 164 moves forward X1, the first end portion 162e1 of the link arm 162 moves along the first horizontal portion 164h1, the inclined portion 164h3, and the second horizontal portion 164h2 in that order.

[0098] When the first end 162e1 transitions from a state in which it is engaged with the first horizontal portion 164h1 to a state in which it is engaged with the inclined portion 164h3, the link arm 162 rotates in the forward direction X1 (counterclockwise in FIG. 17A) around the connecting member 172b. The link arm 162 continues to rotate around the connecting member 172b while the first end 162e1 moves along the inclined portion 164h3. At this time, the elongated hole 162h provided in the link arm 162 to extend in the up-down direction Z in the forward direction X1 is engaged with the engaging member 172a, and therefore the rotation of the link arm 162 around the connecting member 172b is restricted by the elongated hole 162h.

[0099] Thereafter, when the first end 162e1 transitions from a state in which it engages with the inclined portion 164h3 to a state in which it engages with the second horizontal portion 164h2, the link arm 162 stops pivoting. While the first end 162e1 moves along the second horizontal portion 164h2, the link arm 162 can maintain the pivoted state while the first end 162e1 engages with the inclined portion 164h3 from a state in which it engages with the first horizontal portion 164h2. As shown in FIG. 18, the first end 162e1 moves along the second horizontal portion 164h2 toward the rear end (the rear X2 end) of the hole 164h. As described above, during this time, the link arm 162 maintains a state in which it is pivoted counterclockwise from the state shown in FIG. 17A.

[0100] Since the second end 162e2 of the link arm 162 is connected to the rod 242, when the link arm 162 rotates forward (counterclockwise in FIGS. 17A and 18), the rod 242 is moved forward in the X1 direction. Due to the movement of the rod 242 toward the X1 direction, the binding object guide part 224 connected to the front X1 direction of the rod 242 is moved forward in the X1 direction. At this time, as described above with reference to FIGS. 15C and 16C etc., the staple guide part 230 is configured to move in conjunction with the movement of the binding object guide part 224 in the front-rear direction X, and therefore the staple guide part 230 is moved forward in the X1 direction.

[0101] 17, the process plate 164 is moved backward X2 in conjunction with the driver 242. When the process plate 164 moves backward X2, the first end 162e1 of the link arm 162 moves forward X1 relative to the process plate 164 along the hole 164h of the process plate 164. When the first end 162e1 moves along the second horizontal portion 164h2, the inclined portion 164h3, and the first horizontal portion 164h1 of the hole 164h in this order, the link arm 162 rotates backward X2 (clockwise in FIGS. 17A and 18) around the connecting member 172b.

[0102] When the link arm 162 rotates rearward X2, the second end 162e2 of the link arm 162 moves rearward X2, and therefore the rod 242 connected to the second end 162e2 moves rearward X2. As the rod 242 moves rearward X2, the binding object guide portion 224 moves rearward X2. At this time, the staple guide portion 230 moves rearward X2 in conjunction with the movement of the binding object guide portion 224 rearward X2. As described above with reference to Figures 15C and 16C, etc., at this time, the staple guide portion 230 moves obliquely rearward along the hole portion 230c provided at an angle in the Z direction.

[0103] 17A and 18, in the binding machine 100B according to this embodiment, a spring 244 may be provided on the rod 242 to bias the binding object guide portion 224 in the front-rear direction X. The spring 242 can, for example, stabilize the movement of the binding object guide portion 224 toward the rear X2. The spring 242 can also suppress rattle of the binding object guide portion 224 when the binding object guide portion 224 moves in the front-rear direction X.

[0104] As explained with reference to Figures 17A, 17B, and 18, the guide movement section 240 may be realized by the link arm 162, the process plate 164, the driver 142, the binding object guide section 224, the spring 242, etc.

[0105] In the binding machine 100B according to this embodiment, the moving unit 240 (guide moving unit 240) may be configured to move the staple guide portion 230 to the guide position before the leg portion (first leg portion S1) starts to press against the clincher portion 210. That is, in the binding machine 100B, the guide moving unit 240 may be configured to move the staple guide portion 230 to the staple guide position where the staple guide portion 230 guides the staple S before the first leg portion S1 starts to press against the clincher portion 210. Note that, as described above with reference to FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, etc., the staple guide portion 230 may be configured to guide the movement of the first leg portion S1 of the staple S during the binding operation, for example, at a position where the upper surface thereof approaches or contacts the lower surface of the binding target guide portion 224.

[0106] Furthermore, in the binding machine 100B according to this embodiment, the guide moving unit 240 may be configured to move (return) the staple guide unit 230 from the release position to the guide position when the binding operation is started. That is, in the binding machine 100B, as described above with reference to Figures 13B, 13C, 14B, 14C, etc., the guide moving unit 240 may be configured to move the staple guide unit 230 from the guide release position (Figures 13B and 13C) to the staple guide position (Figures 14B and 14C) when the binding operation by the binding machine 100B is started.

[0107] In this embodiment, one bundling operation is started, for example, when the trigger 168 of the bundling machine 100B is pulled by the user of the bundling machine 100B and the power of the motor 154 is turned on. Alternatively, the bundling operation of the bundling machine 100B is started, for example, when the driver 142 begins to move. Furthermore, the bundling operation may be ended, for example, when bundling of the objects G to be bound using the staples S is completed, or when bundling is completed and the staples S can be removed.

[0108] Furthermore, in the binding machine 100B according to this embodiment, the guide moving unit 240 may be configured to be able to move the staple guide portion 230 upward Z1 or downward Z2. That is, in the binding machine 100B, as described above with reference to Figures 13B, 13C, 14B, and 14C, etc., the guide moving unit 240 may be configured to move the staple guide portion 230 in the up-down direction Z, which is a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction X, which is the extension direction of the first leg portion S1.

[0109] Furthermore, in the binding machine 100B according to this embodiment, the staple guide section 230 may be configured to guide the surface of the first leg S1 opposite to the displacement direction. That is, in the binding machine 100B, as described above with reference to Figures 13B, 13C, 14B, and 14C, etc., the object to be bound G is disposed in the first direction (leftward Y1) with respect to the first leg S1, and the first leg S1 is deformed by the clincher section 210 so that the first leg S1 forms a spiral shape in the first direction (leftward Y1), whereby the object to be bound G is bound by the staples S so that it is surrounded by the first leg S1 at the spiral center axis of the spiral shape formed by the first leg S1, and the staple guide section 230 may be configured to guide the first leg S1 from the direction opposite to the first direction (leftward Y1).

[0110] In the binding machine 100B, when the first leg S1 is deformed, a load may be applied in the opposite direction to the direction in which the spiral shape is formed to the straight portion S12 of the first leg S1, which is a portion of the first leg S1 that is closer to the main body S3 than the tip S1P. By configuring the staple guide portion 230 to guide from the right side Y2, which is the opposite direction to the displacement direction of the first leg S1, deformation of the straight portion S12 can be suppressed even when a load is applied to the straight portion S12.

[0111] In the embodiment described above, the binding target G is located to the left Y1 of the first leg S1, and the first leg S1 is deformed to form a spiral shape to the left Y1 as viewed from the straight portion S12. However, this is not limiting. For example, the spiral shape may be formed to the right Y2 as viewed from the straight portion S12. In this case, the first leg S1 may be deformed into a clockwise spiral shape as viewed from above.

[0112] Furthermore, similarly to the binding machine 100A, the binding machine 100B may be configured so that instead of or in addition to moving the binding object guide portion 224 backward X2, the clincher portion 210 is moved forward X1 to separate the first leg S1 from the clincher portion 210. In this case, as described above with reference to Figures 11 to 12B, the clincher portion 210 may be configured to be moved forward X1 by the first link 229a and the second link 229b.

[0113] The present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, some components in one embodiment can be added to other embodiments within the scope of ordinary creativity of a person skilled in the art. Also, some components in one embodiment can be replaced with corresponding components in other embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 100, 100A, 100B binding machine 210 Clincher part 212 Groove 212a First displacement guide part 212b Second displacement guide part 220 Separation part 230 Staple guide part 240 Guide moving part (moving part) G. Bundling object S staple S1 1st leg S2 2nd leg S3 main body

Claims

1. A binding machine having a first leg portion, a second leg portion, and a main body portion connecting the first leg portion and the second leg portion, which binds an object to be bound by surrounding the first leg portion using a staple that opens forward, a clincher portion that deforms the first leg portion of the staple by being pressed against the clincher portion; a staple pressing portion that presses the first leg portion against the clincher portion; a staple guide portion that guides the staple while the first leg portion is deformed; a guide moving portion that moves the staple guide portion to a guide release position where guiding of the staples by the staple guide portion is released after the first leg portion is deformed; A binding machine comprising:

2. the guide moving portion moves the staple guide portion to a staple guide position where the staple guide portion guides the staple before the first leg portion starts to be pressed against the clincher portion. The binding machine according to claim 1 .

3. the guide moving unit moves the staple guide unit from the guide release position to the staple guide position when the binding operation by the binding machine is started. The binding machine according to claim 2 .

4. the guide moving portion moves the staple guide portion in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the first leg portion. The binding machine according to claim 1 .

5. the object to be bound is disposed in a first direction relative to the first leg portion, When the first leg portion is deformed by the clincher portion, the object to be bound is bound by the staple so as to be surrounded by the first leg portion at the spiral center axis of the spiral shape, the staple guide portion guides the first leg portion from a direction opposite to the first direction; The binding device of claim 1 .

6. The first leg is deformed by the clincher portion to form a spiral shape in the first direction. The binding device according to claim 5.

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