End Machine

Abstract

To provide a tying machine and a tying method that enable binding to be hard to unbind.SOLUTION: The tying machine ties a first object and a second object together by using a staple comprising a first leg portion, a second leg portion, and a body portion connecting the first leg portion and the second leg portion, the staple having an opening formed between the first leg portion and the second leg portion. The tying machine comprises: a first displacement unit that displaces the first leg portion to be engageable with the first object; and a second displacement unit that surrounds the second object with the first leg portion, the second leg portion and the body portion and displaces the second leg portion to be engageable with the first object. The second displacement unit may be configured to be able to displace the second leg portion to a position intersecting the first leg portion in a top view.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bundling machine and a bundling method. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART It is known to bind plants or the like to wires or the like using binding tools such as staples.

[0003] An example of such a staple is described in Patent Document 1. This staple has a pair of left and right arms and a convex protrusion provided between the arms.

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes an electric binding machine that includes a rechargeable power supply that is detachably connected to a mounting shell. The binding machine described in Patent Document 2 can bind using the staples described in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 1839482 [Patent Document 2] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. CN111903423 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The staples described in Patent Document 1 restrict the relative movement of two objects, a first object and a second object, and therefore correspond to a fastening device (staple) that fastens the first object and the second object together.

[0007] Patent Document 2 discloses a binding machine that uses the staples described in Patent Document 1, but does not disclose a binding method that makes the binding less likely to come off the object. In order to bind growing objects such as plants, the two objects must be bound together in a way that makes them less likely to come off both before and after growth. If the two objects are bound together too tightly before growth, the growth of the objects will be hindered. On the other hand, if the two objects are bound together loosely, as the stems of the objects grow thicker or the weight of the fruits increases, the ends of the binding device will open and the binding device will easily come off.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a binding machine and a binding method that enable binding that is difficult to come undone. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present application discloses a binding machine that binds a first object and a second object using a staple including a first leg portion, a second leg portion, and a main body portion connecting the first leg portion and the second leg portion, with an opening formed between the first leg portion and the second leg portion. The binding machine includes a first displacement unit that displaces the first leg portion so as to be engageable with the first object, and a second displacement unit that surrounds the second object with the first leg portion, the second leg portion, and the main body portion and displaces the second leg portion so as to be engageable with the first object.

[0010] The second displacement portion may be configured to be able to displace the second leg portion to a position where the second displacement portion intersects with the first leg portion in a top view.

[0011] The binding machine may include a first insertion section into which a first object is inserted and a second insertion section into which the second object is inserted. Furthermore, the first displacement section may displace a tip end of the first leg section so as to engage with the first object inserted in the first insertion section, and the second displacement section may displace the second leg section so as to surround the second object inserted in the second insertion section.

[0012] The binding machine may include a moving unit that moves the staple in an opening direction of the staple. Furthermore, the second displacement unit may displace the second leg portion inward of the staple as the moving unit moves in the opening direction.

[0013] The moving part may include a drive that is movable in the opening direction. The moving portion may include a slider that is movable in the opening direction. The moving part may include a drive and a slider that are movable in the opening direction.

[0014] The second displacement portion may be configured to bend the second leg portion inwardly of the staple as the moving portion moves toward the opening.

[0015] The second displacement portion may be configured to bend the second leg portion inwardly of the staple as a slider of the moving portion moves in the opening direction.

[0016] The second displacement portion may include an arm that is provided on the outer side of the second leg portion and that bends the second leg portion when the moving portion that moves in the opening direction comes into contact with the arm.

[0017] The first displacement portion may be configured to engage with the first object by bending the tip of the first leg in an arc shape as the moving portion moves toward the opening.

[0018] The first displacement portion may include a first insertion portion into which the first object and the first leg portion are inserted.

[0019] The first insertion portion may include an inner wall that engages with the inserted first object by curving the tip end of the inserted first leg portion in an arc shape.

[0020] The first displacement portion may be configured to fold back a tip end portion of the first leg portion so as to sandwich the first object.

[0021] The present application discloses a binding method for binding a first object and a second object using a staple including a first leg, a second leg, and a main body connecting the first leg and the second leg, with an opening formed between the first leg and the second leg. The method comprises displacing the first leg to engage the first object with the first leg, and displacing the second leg to surround the second object with the first leg, the second leg, and the main body, thereby engaging the first object with the second leg.

[0022] Displacing the first leg to engage the first object may include advancing the tip of the first leg downward, away from a plane passing through the first leg, the second leg, and the main body.

[0023] Displacing the second leg to surround the second object with the first leg, the second leg, and the main body to engage the first object with the second leg may include advancing the tip of the second leg upward, away from the plane.

[0024] Displacing the first leg to engage the first object may include displacing a portion of the first leg from the tip end a first distance or less to engage the first object with the first leg.

[0025] Displacing the second leg to engage the second leg with the first object may include displacing a portion of the second leg from the tip a second distance greater than the first distance to engage the second leg with the first object.

[0026] Displacing the second leg to surround the second object with the first leg, the second leg, and the main body to engage the first object with the second leg may include displacing the second leg in a first rotational direction to a position where it intersects with the first leg in a top view, so that the tip of the second leg passes through the gap between the first object and the second object, and displacing the second leg in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, so that the tip of the second leg that has passed through the gap between the first object and the second object engages with the first object.

[0027] When viewed from above, displacing the second leg in a first rotational direction to a position where it intersects with the first leg and passing the tip of the second leg through the gap between the first object and the second object may include bending the second leg in the first rotational direction while bending the tip of the second leg in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.

[0028] Displacing the first leg to engage the first object with the first leg may include bending a tip of the first leg in the first rotation direction to engage the tip of the first leg with the first object.

[0029] 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.

[0030] In the present invention, "binding a first object and a second object" refers to restricting movement of the second object relative to the first object. Here, the staples used for binding do not necessarily need to abut against the first object or the second object. For example, even if the staples do not abut against the second object, the staples can engage with the first object while surrounding the second object, thereby restricting movement of the second object relative to the first object. Therefore, "binding a first object and a second object" includes such a state.

[0031] In the present invention, "bending" or "folding" refers to bending locally. Therefore, when bent, the parts other than the locally bent parts substantially maintain their original shape. For example, when a linearly extending member is bent, the parts other than the locally bent parts substantially maintain their linearly extended shape.

[0032] In the present invention, "to bend" means to bend in an arch shape over a predetermined range. Therefore, when bent, the curved member deforms smoothly over a predetermined range.

[0033] In the present invention, "bending" includes bending and curving. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an example of a staple before binding as seen from above. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of a staple after binding as seen from above. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1C is a diagram showing an example of a staple after binding as seen from the front. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a binding method using a binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the binding machine according to one embodiment as seen from the right side. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the binding machine according to one embodiment as viewed from above. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the binding machine according to one embodiment as seen from the front. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the front end side of the binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a driver according to one embodiment. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a plan view of the driver according to one embodiment, as viewed from above. [Figure 7A]FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a slider in one embodiment. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a plan view of the slider according to one embodiment. [Figure 8A] FIG. 8A is a partially enlarged cross-sectional side view of the binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the binding machine according to one embodiment as seen from behind. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged view (perspective cross-sectional view) showing a nut component and the like of the binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a detachment section and the like of a binding machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 11A] FIG. 11A is a partially enlarged front view of the binding machine according to one embodiment in an initial state. [Figure 11B] FIG. 11B is a partially enlarged view showing the initial state of the binding machine according to one embodiment as seen from above. [Figure 12A] FIG. 12A is a partially enlarged top view of the binding machine according to one embodiment, showing the start of plastic deformation. [Figure 12B] FIG. 12B is a partially enlarged side view of the binding machine according to one embodiment, showing the start of plastic deformation. [Figure 12C] FIG. 12C is a partially enlarged perspective view of the front end of the binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the contact member 24 (claw member) according to one embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the contact member 24 (claw member) according to one embodiment when plastically deformed as viewed from the front. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a second arm according to one embodiment. [Figure 16A] FIG. 16A is a plan view of a second arm according to one embodiment. [Figure 16B] FIG. 16B is a rear view of the second arm according to one embodiment. [Figure 17A]FIG. 17A is a partially enlarged front view showing the start of driver movement of the binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 17B] FIG. 17B is a partially enlarged top view illustrating the start of movement of the driver of the binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a partially enlarged top view showing a state in which the staple separated by the binding machine according to one embodiment is advancing. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a partially enlarged top view showing the state after the staple has passed through the first outer wall portion by the binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a partially enlarged top view showing a state when the staple reaches the displacement start position by the binding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 21A] FIG. 21A is a partially enlarged view showing the front end portion of the binding machine as seen from the front when a user inserts a first object into the first insertion portion and a second object into the second insertion portion. [Figure 21B] FIG. 21B is a partially enlarged view showing the front end portion of the binding machine in a top view when a user inserts a first object into the first insertion section and a second object into the second insertion section. [Figure 22A] FIG. 22A is a partially enlarged view showing the front end portion of the binding machine as seen from the front when the slider resumes moving forward after the first object and the second object have been inserted. [Figure 22B] FIG. 22B is a partially enlarged view showing the front end portion of the binding machine in a top view when the slider resumes moving forward after the first object and the second object have been inserted. [Figure 23A] FIG. 23A is a partially enlarged view showing the front end portion of the binder as seen from the front when the slider is advanced and the second leg portion is deformed. [Figure 23B] FIG. 23B is a partially enlarged view showing the front end portion of the binder in a top view when the slider is advanced and the second leg portion is deformed. [Figure 24A] FIG. 24A is a partially enlarged view showing the front end portion of the binding machine as seen from the front just before the slider moves forward to its most advanced position. [Figure 24B] FIG. 24B is a partially enlarged view showing the front end portion of the binder in a top view immediately before the slider moves forward to its most advanced position. [Figure 25A] FIG. 25A is a partially enlarged front view and an enlarged perspective view of the front end portion of the binding machine after the slider has started to move backward. [Figure 25B] FIG. 25B is a partially enlarged top view and an enlarged perspective view of the front end portion of the binding machine after the slider has started to move backward. [Figure 25C] FIG. 25C is a partially enlarged perspective view of the front end portion of the binding machine after the slider has started to move backward. [Figure 26A] FIG. 26A is a partially enlarged front view and an enlarged perspective view of the front end portion of the binding machine when the slider is further retracted. [Figure 26B] FIG. 26B is a partially enlarged top view and an enlarged perspective view of the front end portion of the binding machine when the slider has further retracted. [Figure 26C] FIG. 26C is a partially enlarged perspective view of the front end portion of the binding machine when the slider has moved further back. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] 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.

[0036] [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).

[0037] Figure 1A shows the staple S before binding in this embodiment, and Figures 1B and 1C show a top view and a front view, respectively, of the staple S in the bound state after binding (however, for ease of explanation, parts unnecessary for explanation, such as the first object G and the second object P, are omitted in Figure 1C).

[0038] The staple S includes a first leg S1, a second leg S2, and a main body S3 connecting the first leg S1 and the second leg S2.

[0039] 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. The direction from the closed portion of the main body S3 toward the opening (the leftward direction on the paper in FIG. 1A) is called the opening direction D1. When the staple S is set in the binding machine 10, the opening direction D1 coincides with the forward direction X1, which will be described later.

[0040] The first leg S1 is a portion that includes one end of the staple S, and includes a first portion S1B extending in the opening direction D1 and a tip portion S1A that is bent and extends outward from the first portion S1B. The angle formed between the first portion S1B and the tip portion S1A is called the bending angle α1, and the portion of the tip portion S1A that is bent to connect with the first portion S1B is called the bending portion. In this embodiment, the bending angle α1 is 90 degrees or less.

[0041] The second leg S2 is a portion that includes the other end of the staple S and includes a second portion that extends in the opening direction D1. In a top view (FIG. 1B) showing the bound state, the second leg S2 is bent so as to intersect with the first leg S1 and close the opening. Therefore, the second leg S2 according to this embodiment is formed longer than the width of the opening, i.e., the distance between the first leg S1 and the second leg S2. The second leg S2 is also formed longer than the first leg S1.

[0042] The main body S3 is a portion that connects the first leg S1 and the second leg S2. The main body S3 according to this embodiment includes a side portion that extends linearly. However, the shape of the main body S3 is not limited to this. For example, the main body S3 may include a curved portion that curves outward, or may be composed of one or more side portions and one or more curved portions.

[0043] In the binding state shown in FIG. 1B, the tip S1A of the first leg S1 of the staple S is bent generally clockwise in the same figure (hereinafter, the generally clockwise direction in a top view may be referred to as the "first rotation direction R1," and the generally counterclockwise direction may be referred to as the "second rotation direction R2") and intersects with the first leg S1 in a top view. Therefore, it becomes possible to clamp the first object G with the first leg S1. As shown in FIG. 1C, the tip S1A of the first leg S1 is bent so that the tip advances downward Z2 away from a plane PL that passes through the first leg S1, the second leg S2, and the main body S3 before binding.

[0044] Meanwhile, a portion of the second leg S2 of the staple S is bent in the first rotation direction R1 to close the opening. Because the opening is closed, it is possible to prevent the staple S from coming off the second object P surrounded by the staple S. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1C , the tip S2A of the second leg S2 is bent so that the tip advances upward Z1, away from a plane PL that penetrates the first leg S1, the second leg S2, and the main body S3 before binding. In this manner, the tip of the first leg S1 is bent so that it advances downward Z2 to engage with the first object G, and the tip of the second leg S2 is bent so that it advances upward Z1 to engage with the second object P, thereby making it easier to generate tension in the region of the first object G from the position where the staple S engages with the first leg S1 to the position where the staple S engages with the second leg S2. This makes it possible to prevent the first object G from bending and causing the staple S to fall off.

[0045] Additionally, the second leg S2 is bent in a first rotation direction R1 toward the inside of the staple S to a position where it intersects with the first leg S1 so as to close the opening in a top view. At this time, the tip S2A of the second leg S2 passes through the gap between the first object G and the second object P. Thereafter, the second leg S2 is displaced in a second rotation direction R2 opposite to the first rotation direction R1 in a top view, and the tip S2A of the second leg S2 that has passed through the gap between the first object G and the second object P engages with the first object G. As a result, the tip S1A of the first leg S1 and the tip S2A of the second leg S2 can engage with each other to sandwich the first object G. Even if the second object P grows, the first leg S1 and the second leg S2 are each bent in a direction that strengthens the force with which they sandwich the first object G. Therefore, even if the second object P grows, the staple S is unlikely to come off from the first object G.

[0046] When the second leg S2 is displaced in the first rotation direction R1, it is preferable to bend the tip S2A of the second leg S2 in a second rotation direction R2 opposite to the first rotation direction R1 while bending the second leg S2 in the first rotation direction R1. With this configuration, the tip S2A of the second leg S2 that has passed through the gap between the first object G and the second object P can be displaced in the second rotation direction R2, thereby making it possible to easily engage the tip S2A of the second leg S2 with the first object G.

[0047] 1A, which shows the state of the staple S before binding, and FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C, which show the state of the staple S after binding, when the distance from the tip of the first leg S1 to the displaceable portion of the first leg S1 is defined as the first distance DS1 and the distance from the tip of the second leg S2 to the displaceable portion of the second leg S2 is defined as the second distance DS2, the second distance DS2 is greater than the first distance DS1, for example, the second distance DS2 is greater than twice the first distance DS1. By bending the staple S asymmetrically in this manner, it is possible to suitably engage the second leg S2 with the first object G held close to the first leg S1.

[0048] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1A, the boundary position between the displaced and non-displaced parts of the first leg S1, which corresponds to a position at a first distance DS1 from the tip of the first leg S1, corresponds to a position further in the opening direction D1 than the boundary position between the displaced and non-displaced parts of the second leg S2, which corresponds to a position at a second distance DS2 from the tip of the second leg S2.

[0049] With this configuration, when the slider 44 is advanced in the opening direction D1, the second leg S2 starts to be displaced first, and after the second leg S2 starts to be displaced, the first leg S1 starts to be displaced. This makes it possible to prevent a large load from being applied to the binding machine 10 at the same time.

[0050] 1A. For example, the first leg S1 and the second leg S2 do not necessarily have to be parallel, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the staple S can be bent so as to achieve at least a part of the above-described technical effects even if the opening width narrows toward the tip or if the opening width widens toward the tip. It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that even if the first leg S1 and the second leg S2 are the same length, the staple S can be bent so as to achieve at least a part of the above-described technical effects, although the tip of the first leg S1 is left over.

[0051] 1B and 1C. For example, the tip S2A of the second leg S2 does not have to be bent. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that even if the tip S2A of the second leg S2 is not bent, the second leg S2 can be engaged with the first object G, and therefore at least a part of the above-described technical effects can be achieved.

[0052] An example of the configuration of the binding machine 10 for bending the staple S shown in FIG. 1A as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C will be described below.

[0053] 2(A) to 2(E) are schematic diagrams conceptually illustrating the configuration of a binding machine 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention and the state of a staple S being bent by the binding machine 10. In these figures, the main body S3 of the staple S is stationary.

[0054] 2 may be referred to as the forward X1, the rightward direction on the paper surface as the rear X2, the forward direction perpendicular to the paper surface as the upward Z1, the depth direction perpendicular to the paper surface as the downward Z2, the bottom of the paper surface as the rightward Y1, and the top of the paper surface as the leftward Y2. A top view refers to the viewpoint when the binding machine 10, etc. is viewed from the upward Z1 position toward the downward Z2, a front view refers to the viewpoint when the binding machine 10, etc. is viewed from the forward X1 position toward the rearward X2, and a side view refers to the viewpoint when the binding machine 10, etc. is viewed toward the rightward Y1 or leftward Y2.

[0055] Furthermore, when the staple S described below is set in the binding machine 10, the direction from the area surrounded by the staple S (the area where the second object P described below is inserted) toward the outside of the staple S is sometimes referred to as the outward direction, and the direction from the outside of the staple S toward the area surrounded by the staple S is sometimes referred to as the inward direction.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 2(A) and other figures, the binding machine 10 includes a slider 44 as an example of a moving part that moves in the forward direction X1. The binding machine 10 further includes a first displacement unit 20 for displacing the first leg S1 of the staple S. The first displacement unit 20 displaces different parts in different directions based on the movement of the slider 44 in the forward direction X1, thereby displacing the first leg S1 of the staple S so that it can engage with the first object G.

[0057] The slider 44 may be formed as a single unit, or may be made up of multiple parts that move in unison.

[0058] The first displacement portion 20 in this embodiment includes a contact member 24 that moves in a direction inclined toward the inside (rightward Y1) and rearward X2 of the staple S based on the movement of the slider 44 toward the front X1. The contact member 24 is sometimes called a gripping portion because it contacts the area of ​​the tip portion S1A of the staple S and bends the tip portion S1A so as to plastically deform it.

[0059] In addition, the first displacement portion 20 may include a component that moves in a direction approximately perpendicular to the forward X1, which is inward (rightward Y1) of the staple S, based on the movement of the slider 44 in the forward X1, thereby abutting against the tip S1A of the staple S and bending the tip S1A.

[0060] Alternatively, the first displacement portion 20 may include a component that moves outward (leftward Y2) of the staple S based on the forward movement X1 by the slider 44, thereby abutting against the tip portion S1A of the staple S and bending the tip portion S1A.

[0061] Alternatively, the first displacement portion 20 may include a component that contacts the tip portion S1A of the staple S and bends the tip portion S1A by moving the staple S in the first rotation direction R1 based on the movement of the slider 44 forward X1.

[0062] Alternatively, the first displacement portion 20 may include a component that contacts the tip portion S1A of the staple S and bends the tip portion S1A by moving the staple S in the second rotation direction R2 based on the movement of the slider 44 forward X1.

[0063] The mechanism for moving a part such as the abutment member 24 in a different direction based on the movement of a moving part such as the slider 44 in the forward direction X1 can be the mechanism disclosed in this embodiment or another mechanism.

[0064] The mechanism for rotating a part such as the abutment member 24 in the first rotation direction R1 or the second rotation direction R2 based on the forward movement X1 of a moving part such as the slider 44 can be the mechanism disclosed in this embodiment or another mechanism.

[0065] The binding machine 10 further includes a second displacement unit 30 for displacing the second leg S2 of the staple S. The second displacement unit 30 displaces different parts in different directions based on the forward movement X1 of the slider 44, thereby displacing the second leg S2 of the staple S so that it can engage with the first object G.

[0066] The second displacement portion 30 in this embodiment includes an arm (sometimes referred to as a second arm) that rotates in a first rotation direction R1 based on the forward movement X1 by the slider 44, thereby bending the second leg S2 so as to plastically deform it. In this embodiment, the arm abuts against the second leg S2 of the staple S to bend the second leg S2 in a direction approaching the first leg S1, while also bending the second leg S2 in a direction inclined upward Z1, and therefore may be referred to as an inclined bending portion.

[0067] 2(A), the second displacement unit 30 is connected to the slider 44 and is configured to be rotatable around the front end of the slider 44 as a fulcrum. However, as will be described in the embodiment described later, the second displacement unit 30 does not have to be connected to the slider 44. For example, the second displacement unit 30 may be provided with a second arm 32 that is not connected to the slider 44 and that rotates in the first rotation direction R1 by the second front end 44A2 of the slider 44, thereby bending the second leg S2 so as to plastically deform it.

[0068] In addition, the second displacement portion 30 may include a component that moves in a direction approximately perpendicular to the forward X1, which is toward the inside (left side X1) of the staple S, based on the movement of the slider 44 toward the forward X1, thereby abutting against the second leg S2 of the staple S and bending the second leg S2.

[0069] Alternatively, the second displacement portion 30 may include a component that moves outward (to the right Y1) of the staple S based on the forward movement X1 by the slider 44, thereby abutting against the second leg S2 of the staple S and bending the second leg S2.

[0070] Alternatively, the second displacement portion 30 may include a component that contacts the second leg S2 of the staple S and bends the second leg S2 by moving the staple S in the second rotation direction R2 based on the movement of the slider 44 forward X1.

[0071] In this embodiment, the second displacement section 30 additionally includes a support wall section 68A that bends the tip section S2A of the second leg section S2 in the opposite direction (outward) by allowing the tip section S2A of the second leg section S2 to pass through while coming into contact with the support wall section 68A. The support wall section 68A is sometimes called a tip bending section because it bends the tip section S2A of the second leg section S2.

[0072] However, if staples with pre-formed outwardly curved tips are utilized, the strapping machine may not include support wall 68A.

[0073] The binding machine 10 in this embodiment further includes a fulcrum 66A that functions as a fulcrum for bending the second leg portion S2. In this embodiment, the front end of the second inner wall portion 66 functions as the fulcrum 66A. The distance from the portion of the second leg portion S2 that abuts against the fulcrum 66A to the tip corresponds to the second distance DS2.

[0074] 2(A) is a schematic diagram from above showing the state of the staple S immediately after it has started to bend. As shown in the figure, the slider 44 moving forward causes the second displacement portion 30 to start rotating in the first rotation direction R1. As a result, the second leg S2 of the staple S abutting against the second displacement portion 30 starts to bend around the fulcrum 66A. At the same time, the tip S2A of the second leg S2 passes through the support wall 68A while abutting against the support wall 68A. Therefore, it is possible to bend the second leg S in the first rotation direction R1, which corresponds to the inward direction of the staple S, while bending the tip S2A of the second leg S2 in the second rotation direction R2, which corresponds to the outward direction of the staple S.

[0075] 2(B) and 2(C) are schematic diagrams from above showing the state of the staple S after bending has begun. As shown in the figures, the slider 44 further moves forward, causing the second displacement portion 30 to further rotate in the first rotation direction R1. As a result, the second displacement portion 30 further bends the second leg portion S2 in the first rotation direction R1 with the fulcrum 66A as the fulcrum.

[0076] 2(D) is a schematic diagram showing a state when the second leg S2 of the staple S is bent and intersects with the first leg S1 in a top view. In this embodiment, the second leg S2 is bent in a direction approaching the first leg S1 while also bent in a direction inclined upward Z1, so that it does not interfere with the first leg S1. As shown in the figure, the slider 44 further moves forward, causing the second displacement portion 30 to further rotate in the first rotation direction R1, rotating by 90 degrees or more. Therefore, the second displacement portion 30 is configured to be able to bend the second leg S2 to a position where it intersects with the first leg S1 in a top view.

[0077] FIG. 2(E) is a schematic diagram from above showing the state in which the first leg S1 of the staple S is bent. As shown in the figure, the slider 44 moving forward moves the abutting member 24 of the first displacement section 20 in a direction inclined inward (to the right Y1) and backward X2, thereby bending the tip S1A of the first leg S1. As shown in the figure, the tip S1A may be bent upward Z1 or downward Z2 relative to the first leg S1. By bending the tip S1 of the first leg S1 in this manner, it becomes possible for the first leg S1 to clamp the first object G.

[0078] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first displacement section 20, the second displacement section 30, and the slider 44 are arranged so that the timing at which they come into contact with each other is different, thereby shifting the timing at which bending of the first leg S1 of the staple S starts and the timing at which bending of the second leg S2 of the staple S starts. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent a large load from being applied to the binding machine 10 at the same time. Furthermore, by starting bending of the second leg S2, which has a larger bending amount, first, it is possible to prevent a large difference between the timing at which bending of the first leg S1 ends and the timing at which bending of the second leg S2 ends.

[0079] [First embodiment] The detailed configuration of the binding machine 10 according to the first embodiment will be described below.

[0080] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the binding machine 10 as seen from the right side. Figure 4A is a cross-sectional view of the binding machine 10 as seen from above (however, for convenience, the figure has been rotated 90 degrees. For convenience in the following, the figures may be similarly rotated. Furthermore, to make the explanation easier to understand, components that will not be described (for example, the housing of the binding machine 10) have been omitted (for the same reason, some components may be omitted from the drawings in the following).

[0081] Fig. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the binding machine 10 as seen from the front, taken along the line AA in Fig. 4A. Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the front end portion of the binding machine 10.

[0082] [Configuration overview of binding machine 10] The binding machine 10 uses a staple S having an opening formed therein to bind a first object G and a second object P. The configuration of the staple S (FIGS. 1A and 1B) according to one embodiment has been described above.

[0083] The first object G is, for example, a wire, a beam, a string, a rod, a pipe, a tree branch, etc. The first object G is sometimes called a guide element. The second object P is, for example, a stem, a vine, a branch, or fruit of a plant or tree. The binding machine 10 restricts movement of the second object P relative to the first object G by displacing the first leg S1 of the staple S to engage with the first object G and displacing the second leg S2 to engage with the first object G so that the staple S surrounds the second object P, thereby binding the first object G and the second object P.

[0084] The binding machine 10 includes a first displacement unit 20 that displaces the first leg S1 of the staple S so that it can engage with the first object G, and a second displacement unit 30 that displaces the second leg S2 of the staple S so that it can engage with the first object G. The second displacement unit 30 is configured to be able to bind the first object G and the second object P by engaging the tip S2A of the second leg S2 with the first object G in a state in which the second object P is surrounded by the first leg S1, the second leg S2, and the main body S3 of the staple S.

[0085] More specifically, the binding machine 10 includes a grip 12 that extends vertically so as to be held by a user and that is provided with a switch for driving the binding machine 10, a magazine 14 (Figure 3) that is configured to store a plurality of staples S stacked vertically, a pusher 16 that urges the plurality of staples S stored in the magazine 14 upward Z1, a driver 42 that pushes the staple S located at the top end forward X1 to separate the staple S located at the top end from the other staples S and move it forward X1, a moving mechanism for moving the driver 42 and the slider 44, a first displacement section 20 that displaces the first leg S1 of the staple S by the slider 44, a second displacement section 30 that displaces the second leg S2 of the staple S by the slider 44, and a removal section 56 that provides a movement path for the staple S when it is removed from the other staples S.

[0086] Here, the first displacement portion 20 includes a first outer wall portion 62 and a first inner wall portion 64 for displacing the tip portion S1A of the first leg S1 by the tip portion S1A passing through while abutting against the first outer wall portion 62 and a first inner wall portion 64 when the staple S is moved forward X1 by the driver 42.

[0087] The first displacement portion 20 also includes a first arm 22 that rotates when pushed by the first front end portion 44A1 of the slider 44 that moves forward X1, and an abutting member 24 that moves inward of the staple S while abutting against the tip portion S1A of the first leg portion S1 as the first arm 22 rotates, thereby bending the tip portion S1A of the first leg portion S1. The abutting member 24 is sometimes called a claw member.

[0088] The second displacement portion 30 includes a second arm 32 that rotates when pushed by the second front end portion 44A2 of the slider 44 moving forward X1. The second arm 32 is configured to be able to bend the second leg portion S2 of the staple S by rotating while abutting against the second leg portion S2 of the staple S. At this time, as described above, the second object P is surrounded by the first leg portion S1, the second leg portion S2, and the main body portion S3 of the staple S, and the second leg portion S2 is engaged with the first object G, thereby making it possible to bind the first object G and the second object P together.

[0089] The binding machine 10 according to this embodiment translates components such as the slider 44 forward X1, and the translated components push the first arm 22 and the second arm 32, converting the translation into rotational motion, thereby displacing the first leg S1 and the second leg S2 of the staple S. However, the means for displacing the first leg S1 or the second leg S2 is not limited to this. For example, the means for displacing the first leg S1 may be a means for displacing the tip S1A of the first leg S1 in an arc when the tip S1A of the first leg S1 is advanced by the driver 42 or the slider 44. Furthermore, other means for converting translational motion into rotational motion may be employed as a configuration for converting translational motion into rotational motion. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first arm 22 and the second arm 32 are both rotated in the same direction in top view to displace the first leg S1 and the second leg S2, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the second arm 32 may be rotated in the opposite direction to displace the second leg S2.

[0090] The detailed configuration of the binding machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0091] [Driver and slider movement mechanism (feed mechanism)] The driver 42 of the binding machine 10 has a function of moving the staple S in the forward direction X1 by moving in the forward direction X1. The driver 42 is configured to separate the staple S at the upper end connected to other staples S from the other staples S by moving the staple S in the forward direction X1, and is further configured to move the staple S in the forward direction X1 so that the tip portion S1A of the first leg portion S1 abuts against and passes through the first outer wall portion 62 included in the first displacement portion 20, thereby displacing the tip portion S1A of the first leg portion S1.

[0092] Fig. 6A is a perspective view of the driver 42 according to this embodiment, and Fig. 6B is a plan view of the driver 42 as seen from above. As shown in these drawings, the driver 42 is formed in a plate shape and includes a front end portion having a front end surface 42S that abuts against the main body portion S3 of the staple S, and a rear end portion that is provided rearward X2 from the front end portion and has a driver protrusion 42C that protrudes downward Z2.

[0093] The front end of the driver 42 includes a front end surface 42S that is provided so as to be inclined relative to the front-rear direction in accordance with the shape of the main body S3 of the staple S.

[0094] Furthermore, the left end of the front end portion of the driver 42 has a protruding portion 42B that extends forward X1 so as to have a wall surface extending forward X1 in order to abut from the outer left side Y2 against the first part S1B of the first leg S1, which corresponds to the left end of the staple S, and the part that connects to the first leg S1 of the main body portion S3, and support the first leg S1.

[0095] As shown in FIGS. 4B and 8B , the driver 42 is fitted into a recess provided in the base 46 and is thereby guided to move in the front-to-rear direction. The top surface of the driver 42 abuts against the bottom surface of the slider 44, which is fitted into the recess provided in the base 46, thereby restricting upward movement of the driver 42 in the Z1 direction. Furthermore, the left and right side surfaces of the driver 42 abut against left and right wall surfaces of the base 46, which extend in the front-to-rear direction, respectively, thereby restricting left and right movement of the driver 42. Furthermore, a driver protrusion 42C formed at the rear end of the driver 42 and protruding downward Z2 is inserted into the recess in the base 46. The left and right wall surfaces and bottom surface of the driver protrusion 42C face the wall surfaces and top surface of the base 46, respectively. With the above-described configuration, the driver 42 is guided to move in the front-to-rear direction.

[0096] Three grooves are formed in the bottom of the driver protrusion 42C protruding downward Z2. Specifically, a first groove 42G1 is formed to move in the forward direction X1 when pushed forward X1 by a first claw 48C1 of a switching block 48 (an example of a "block") described later, a second groove 42G2 is formed to move in the backward direction X2 when pushed backward X2 by a second claw 48C2, and a third groove 42G3 is formed to move in the forward direction X1 when pushed forward X1 by a third claw 48C3. As shown in the figure, the first groove 42G1, the second groove 42G2, and the third groove 42G3 are provided so as to extend parallel to each other in the front-rear direction. In addition, the front ends of the first groove 42G1 and the third groove 42G3 (side surfaces of the first groove 42G1 and the third groove 42G3 facing backward X2) are provided at the same position in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the rear end of the second groove 42G2 (the side surface of the second groove 42G2 facing the forward X1 direction) is provided further rearward X2 than the front ends of the first groove 42G1 and the third groove 42G3 (the side surfaces of the first groove 42G1 and the third groove 42G3 facing the rear X2 direction). On the other hand, the first groove 42G1 and the third groove 42G3 are provided extending rearward X2 than the rear end of the second groove 42G2.

[0097] As will be described later, when moving forward, the driver 42 is advanced using two grooves, the first groove 42G1 and the third groove 42G3, and when moving backward, the driver 42 is retreated using one groove, the second groove 42G2, thereby enabling the driver 42 to suitably move forward X1 when moving forward, which is a relatively heavy load. In addition, the second groove 42G2 is provided so as to overlap with the central axis of the ball screw 50 in a top view, and the first groove 42G1 and the third groove 42G3 are provided so as to sandwich the second groove 42G2, thereby enabling the driver 42 to move forward and backward in a balanced manner.

[0098] The driver 42 is placed on a base 46 of the binding machine 10 and is configured to be movable in the front-to-rear direction on the base 46. Therefore, by forming the first groove 42G1, the second groove 42G2, and the third groove 42G3, a portion of the upper surface of the base 46 is exposed upward Z1.

[0099] The slider 44 of the binding machine 10 has a function of moving forward X1 and pushing the first displacement portion 20 and the second displacement portion 30 forward X1, thereby displacing the first leg S1 and the second leg S2 of the staple S. The slider 44 according to this embodiment includes a first front end portion 44A1 that pushes the first arm 22 of the first displacement portion 20 forward X1 to rotate the first arm 22, and a second front end portion 44A2 that pushes the second arm 32 of the second displacement portion 30 forward X1 to rotate the second arm 32.

[0100] 7A is a perspective view of the slider 44 according to this embodiment, and Fig. 7B is a plan view of the slider 44 as seen from above. As shown in these drawings, the slider 44 is formed in a plate shape and has a first front end portion 44A1 extending in the forward direction X1 on the left side where the first leg portion S1 of the staple S is arranged, and a second front end portion 44A2 extending in the forward direction X1 and spaced apart from the first front end portion 44A1 on the side where the second leg portion S2 of the staple S is arranged.

[0101] Furthermore, the slider 44 includes a fixing portion 44B for being fixed to a nut component 52 (described later) with a bolt.

[0102] As shown in Fig. 4B, the slider 44 is fitted into a recess provided in the base 46 and is guided to move in the front-rear direction. The top surface of the slider 44 is restricted from moving upward Z1 by abutting against guides fixed to the base 46 or the housing. Furthermore, the left and right side surfaces of the slider 44 are restricted from moving left and right by abutting against left and right wall surfaces of the base 46 that extend in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the bottom surface of the slider 44 is supported by the top surface of the base 46 and the top surface of the driver 42. With this configuration, the slider 44 (and the driver 42 on which the slider 44 is stacked) are guided to move in the front-rear direction.

[0103] The configuration of the first front end portion 44A1 and the second front end portion 44A2 of the slider 44 will be described later.

[0104] The nut component 52 of the binding machine 10 (see, for example, Figures 4A, 8A, and 8B) functions to move the driver 42 and slider 44 forward in the X1 direction and backward in the X2 direction. The nut component 52 according to this embodiment has a female thread that is threadedly engaged with the male thread of the ball screw 50 via a ball member (not shown). Therefore, when the ball screw 50 rotates in the forward direction, the nut component 52 moves forward in the X1 direction, and when the ball screw 50 rotates in the reverse direction, the nut component 52 moves backward in the X2 direction. The nut component 52 is fixed to the slider 44. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8A, the front end surface of the nut component 52 abuts against the rear end surface of the slider 44. Therefore, the nut component 52 and the slider 44 are configured to be able to move integrally forward in the X1 direction and backward in the X2 direction with the rotational moment suppressed.

[0105] Furthermore, the nut component 52 includes an annular holding portion 52A that protrudes downward Z2 to hold the switching block 48 (FIG. 8B) on which the first claw portion 48C1, the second claw portion 48C2, and the third claw portion 48C3 are provided. The nut component 52 and the switching block 48 held by the nut component 52 are configured to be movable integrally forward X1 and backward X2. The holding portion 52A holds the switching block 48 so that the first claw portion 48C1 can be inserted into the first groove 42G1, the second claw portion 48C2 can be inserted into the second groove 42G2, and the third claw portion 48C3 can be inserted into the third groove 42G3.

[0106] The nut part 52, the slider 44 and the driver 42 are configured to be movable forward X1 and backward X2, and are therefore sometimes called moving parts.

[0107] Fig. 8A is a partially enlarged side view of the binding machine 10, taken along a vertical cross section including the central axis 50AX of the ball screw 50. Fig. 8B is a partially enlarged rear view of the binding machine 10, taken along a vertical cross section perpendicular to the central axis 50AX of the ball screw 50, taken from the rear X2. Fig. 9 is a partially enlarged perspective cross-sectional view of the binding machine 10, showing the nut component 52 and the like.

[0108] 8B, an elastic member 49 is inserted between the nut part 52 and the switching block 48 to generate an elastic force that presses the bottom surface of the switching block 48 against the surface of the base 46. Therefore, the switching block 48 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction, and the vertical distance between the nut part 52 and the switching block 48 varies depending on the surface shape of the base 46 through which the switching block 48 passes.

[0109] In this embodiment, the nut part 52 is configured to be movable forward X1 and backward X2 by the motor 54 and the ball screw 50.

[0110] A motor 54 (FIG. 4A) rotates the ball screw 50. The motor 54 is provided at the rear end of the binding machine 10. The binding machine 10 may be provided with a detachable battery, and the motor 54 may be configured to be rotatably driven by the battery power. The binding machine 10 according to this embodiment further includes a reducer 55, and the motor 54 increases the torque of the reducer 55 to rotate the ball screw 50. Furthermore, a printed circuit board on which a CPU equivalent to a control device for controlling the motor 54 is mounted is provided at the rear end of the binding machine 10.

[0111] The ball screw 50 (FIGS. 4A, 8A, and 8B) is provided extending in the front-to-rear direction substantially through the center of the binding machine 10. As described above, the ball screw 50 has a male thread formed thereon that is threadedly engaged with the female thread of the nut component 52 via a ball member (not shown).

[0112] The base 46 (FIGS. 4B, 8A, and 8B) supports the driver 42 and the slider 44. As shown in FIG. 4B, the base 46 has a support surface that abuts against or faces the bottom surface of the driver 42 to support the driver 42 from below Z2, and a wall portion extending in the front-to-rear direction to abut against or face the side surface of the left end of the driver 42 to support the driver 42 from the left side Y2. The base 46 also has a wall portion extending in the front-to-rear direction to abut against or face the right end of the driver 42 to support the driver 42 from the right side Y1. With this configuration, the base 46 guides the driver 42 so that it moves in the front-to-rear direction.

[0113] The base 46 further has a support surface that abuts against or faces the bottom surface of the slider 44 placed on the driver 42 to support the slider 44 from below Z2, and a wall portion extending in the front-rear direction to abut against or face the left end of the slider 44 to support the slider 44 from the left side Y2. The base 46 further has a wall portion extending in the front-rear direction to abut against or face the right end of the slider 44 to support the slider 44 from the right side Y1. With this configuration, the base 46 guides the slider 44 to move in the front-rear direction.

[0114] As shown in Figure 9, the base 46 is formed with a first protrusion 46A1 that is tapered so that it protrudes upward Z1 as it proceeds toward the rear X2, a second protrusion 46A2 that is tapered so that it protrudes upward Z1 as it proceeds toward the front X1, and a third protrusion 46A3 that is tapered so that it protrudes upward Z1 as it proceeds toward the rear X2.

[0115] The first protrusion 46A1 is provided on the path of the first claw portion 48C1 (inside the first groove 42G1) when the driver 42 moves rearward X2.

[0116] The second protrusion 46A2 is provided on the path of the second claw portion 48C2 (inside the second groove 42G2) when the driver 42 moves forward X1.

[0117] The third protrusion 46A3 is provided on the path of the third claw portion 48C3 (inside the third groove 42G3) when the driver 42 moves rearward X2.

[0118] It is preferable that the first to third protrusions 46A1 to 46A3 are each formed to have the same height as the driver 42 (plate thickness of the driver 42) or higher than the driver 42.

[0119] The first protrusion 46A1 and the third protrusion 46A3 are provided at the same position in the front-rear direction. The second protrusion 46A2 is provided further forward than the first protrusion 46A1 and the third protrusion 46A3 in the direction X1.

[0120] With the above configuration, when the motor 54 rotates the ball screw 50 in the forward direction, the nut component 52, the slider 44 fixed to the nut component 52, and the switching block 48 held by the nut component 52 all move forward X1. Furthermore, because the first claw 48C1, the second claw 48C2, and the third claw 48C3 of the switching block 48 are inserted into the first groove 42G1, the second groove 42G2, and the third groove 42G3, respectively, the front surfaces of the first claw 48C1 and the third claw 48C3 abut against the side surface of the first groove 42G1 facing rear X2 and the side surface of the third groove 42G3 facing rear X2, respectively. Therefore, the switching block 48, which is pressed against the surface of the base 46 by the elastic member 49, presses the surface of the base 46 downward Z2, causing the driver 42 to move forward X1 by the front surfaces of the first claw 48C1 and the third claw 48C3. As a result, both the driver 42 and the slider 44 move forward in the X1 direction. The movement operation in which both the driver 42 and the slider 44 move forward in the X1 direction is called a first movement operation.

[0121] Thereafter, when the switching block 48 advances to the position where the second protrusion 46A2 is provided, the second claw 48C2 moves upward Z1 along the inclined surface of the second protrusion 46A2. Therefore, the switching block 48 moves upward Z1 while moving forward X1. As a result, the front surfaces of the first claw 48C1 and the third claw 48C3 move upward Z1 beyond the side surfaces of the first groove 42G1 and the third groove 42G3 with which they were abutting. Therefore, the switching block 48 rides up onto the driver 42, and the driver 42 stops moving forward X1. At this point, the first moving operation ends.

[0122] After the first movement operation is completed, when the motor 54 further rotates the ball screw 50 in the forward direction, the switching block 48 moves forward X1 on the driver 42. At this time, of the slider 44 and the driver 42, only the slider 44 moves forward X1. A movement operation in which only the slider 44 moves forward X1 of the driver 42 and the slider 44 is called a second movement operation. When the slider 44 moves forward a predetermined amount relative to the driver 42, the motor 54 stops the rotation of the ball screw 50 in the forward direction. At this time, the second movement operation ends.

[0123] During the second movement operation, friction between the switching block 48 and the driver 42 may cause the driver 42 to move forward. For this reason, the binding machine 10 may be provided with a stopper for stopping the forward movement of the driver 42 during the second movement operation. For example, an opening hole may be formed in the base 46, and a stopper such as a ball that is biased upward Z1 may be exposed from this opening hole, while a recess into which the ball is inserted may be formed in the bottom surface of the driver 42. This configuration allows the stopper to engage with the recess at a position where the first movement operation ends and the movement of the driver 42 forward X1 should be stopped, thereby preventing the driver 42 from moving forward and backward during the second movement operation.

[0124] As will be described later, in the first movement operation, by using the driver 42 moving in the forward direction X1 to push the staple S at the top end in the forward direction X1, it is possible to move the staple S at the top end in the forward direction X1 and separate it from the other staples S. Furthermore, in the first movement operation, by using the driver 42 moving in the forward direction X1 to move the staple S at the top end in the forward direction X1, the tip portion S1A of the first leg S1 is brought into contact with the first outer wall portion 62, it is possible to displace (plastically deform) the first leg S1 so as to further reduce the bending angle α1 formed by the tip portion S1A of the first leg S1 and the first portion S1B of the first leg S1.

[0125] Furthermore, in the second movement operation, the driver 42 stops moving in the forward direction X1, and therefore the staples S that have been pushed by the driver 42 also stop moving in the forward direction X1. Therefore, by advancing the slider 44 in the second movement operation, with the staples S stopped, the second front end portion 44A2 of the slider 44 pushes and rotates the second arm 32 of the second displacement portion 30 in the forward direction X1, making it possible to displace the second leg portion S2 of the staple S so that it engages with the first object G while being surrounded by the first leg portion S1, the second leg portion S2, and the main body portion S3. Furthermore, with the staples S stopped, the first front end portion 44A1 of the slider 44 rotates the first arm 22 of the first displacement portion 20, making it possible to displace the first leg portion S1 of the staple S so that it engages with the first object G.

[0126] The binding machine 10 may further include a Hall sensor or other sensor for acquiring the amount of rotation of the motor 54 in order to control the amount of movement of the driver 42 and the slider 44. The binding machine 10 may further include a magnet attached to the nut part 52 in order to detect and control the position of the nut part 52 in the front-to-rear direction, and a Hall sensor or other sensor for acquiring the position of the magnet attached to the nut part 52.

[0127] After the binding operation is completed, the motor 54 rotates the ball screw 50 in the reverse direction, so that the nut part 52, the slider 44 fixed to the nut part 52, and the switching block 48 held by the nut part 52 all move backward X2. At this time, the switching block 48 moves backward X2 over the stopped driver 42.

[0128] When the motor 54 further rotates the ball screw 50 in the reverse direction, the second claw 48C2 of the switching block 48 moves backward (X2) and downward (Z2) along the inclined surface of the second protrusion 46A2 provided on the base 46, so that the first claw 48C1, the second claw 48C2, and the third claw 48C3 of the switching block 48 are inserted into the regions of the first groove 42G1, the second groove 42G2, and the third groove 42G3, respectively. When the motor 54 further rotates the ball screw 50 in the reverse direction, the switching block 48 moves backward (X2), and the rear surface of the second claw 48C2 of the switching block 48 abuts against the side surface of the second groove 42G2 facing forward (X1). Therefore, the switching block 48 presses the surface of the base 46 downward (Z2) with the elastic member 49, and moves the driver 42 backward (X2) with the rear surface of the second claw 48C2. At this time, the nut part 52, the slider 44, the switching block 48 and the driver 42 all move rearward in the X2 direction.

[0129] When the motor 54 further rotates the ball screw 50 in the reverse direction and the switching block 48 retreats to the position where the first protrusion 46A1 and the third protrusion 46A3 are located, the first claw 48C1 and the third claw 48C3 of the switching block 48 move upward Z1 along the inclined surfaces of the first protrusion 46A1 and the third protrusion 46A3, respectively. Therefore, the switching block 48 moves upward Z1 while moving backward X2. As a result, the rear surface of the second claw 48C2 moves upward Z1 beyond the side surface of the second groove 42G2 with which it was abutting. Therefore, the switching block 48 rides up on the driver 42, and the driver 42 stops moving backward X2. The binding machine 10 may include a stopper having the above-described configuration or another configuration to restrict the movement of the driver 42 backward X2.

[0130] Thereafter, when the motor 54 further rotates the ball screw 50 in the reverse direction, the switching block 48 moves backward X2 on the driver 42. At this time, of the driver 42 and the slider 44, only the slider 44 moves backward X2. When the slider 44 moves backward a predetermined amount relative to the driver 42, the motor 54 stops the rotation of the ball screw 50 in the reverse direction.

[0131] Thereafter, when the motor 54 rotates the ball screw 50 in the forward direction, the nut component 52, the slider 44 fixed to the nut component 52, and the switching block 48 held by the nut component 52 all move forward X1. By moving the nut component 52, the slider 44, and the switching block 48 all forward X1 to positions where the first claw portion 48C1 and the third claw portion 48C3 of the switching block 48 abut against or approach the side surfaces of the front ends of the first groove 42G1 and the third groove 42G3, respectively, it becomes possible to then transition to the first movement operation.

[0132] With the above-described configuration, the binding machine 10 is configured to be able to perform a first movement operation in which the driver 42 and the slider 44 move forward together, and a second movement operation in which only the slider 44 of the driver 42 and the slider 44 moves further forward X1.

[0133] The position of the nut component 52 in the initial state is not limited. For example, the binding machine 10 may be configured so that immediately after starting from the initial state, only the slider 44 moves forward, and then the driver 42 and the slider 44 start the first movement operation.

[0134] [Feed bending mechanism at the separation section] The separation portion includes a movement path of the staple S that is separated by the driver 42 and moves forward X1, and a support wall that supports the staple S during displacement by the first displacement portion 20 and the second displacement portion 30.

[0135] 10, the separation portion 56 is provided so as to be able to move up and down in accordance with the movement of the slider 44. The separation portion 56 is formed with a gap 56A into which a part of the slider 44 enters as the slider 44 moves. By the part of the slider 44 entering the gap 56A of the separation portion 56, the vertical position of the separation portion 56 can be stabilized, and deformation of the staple S can be reliably performed.

[0136] 11A and 11B are partially enlarged views showing the front end portion of the binding machine 10 in the initial state (standby state) as seen from the front and from above.

[0137] When the staple S is moved forward X1 by the driver 42, the tip S1A of the first leg S1 passes through while abutting against the first outer wall portion 62, thereby plastically deforming the first outer wall portion 62 so as to further reduce the bending angle α1 formed by the tip S1A of the first leg S1 and the first portion S1B of the first leg S1 (the portion connected to the tip S1A of the first leg S1).

[0138] Therefore, the first outer wall portion 62 is provided at a position where only a part of the tip portion S1A of the first leg portion S1 of the staple S comes into contact with the first outer wall portion 62.

[0139] The first inner wall portion 64 is provided inside the first leg S1 to support the first leg S1 from the inside when the first leg S1 of the staple S is moved forward X1 by the driver 42 and when the first leg S1 is displaced. The first inner wall portion 64 has a bottom surface provided along the movement path of the first leg S1 and a wall surface provided approximately parallel to the front-rear direction, which is the movement direction of the first leg S1, to support the first leg S1 from the inside.

[0140] On the other hand, the first outer wall portion 62 is provided to include a wall surface that is inclined so that the gap between the wall surface of the first inner wall portion 64 becomes smaller as the first outer wall portion 62 advances forward X1. With this configuration, the tip portion S1A of the first leg portion S1 can be displaced so that the bending angle α1 becomes smaller as the tip portion advances forward X1.

[0141] Furthermore, the first outer wall portion 62 in this embodiment includes at least a first region 62A (Figure 9) on which a wall surface is formed in which the gap between the wall surface of the first inner wall portion 64 is relatively greatly reduced, and a second region 62B (same figure) located forward X1 from the first region 62A on which a wall surface is formed in which the gap between the wall surface of the first inner wall portion 64 is relatively greatly reduced.

[0142] When the average reduction rate of the gap (the distance in the left-right direction perpendicular to the forward direction X1) between the wall surface of the first outer wall portion 62 and the wall surface of the first inner wall portion 64 in the first region 62A is defined as a first reduction rate, and the average reduction rate of the gap (the distance in the left-right direction perpendicular to the forward direction X1) between the wall surface of the first outer wall portion 62 and the wall surface of the first inner wall portion 64 in the second region 62B is defined as a second reduction rate, the absolute value of the first reduction rate is greater than the absolute value of the second reduction rate. In other words, the angle formed between the front-rear direction in top view and the wall surface of the first region 62A of the first outer wall portion 62 is greater than the angle formed between the front-rear direction in top view and the wall surface of the second region 62B of the first outer wall portion 62.

[0143] The smaller the bending angle α1 of the bending portion, the smaller the resilient force that repels displacement, and therefore, with the above configuration, the tip portion S1A of the first leg portion S1 can be bent smoothly.

[0144] The wall surface that the first leg portion S1 does not contact is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the first inner wall portion 64 may be provided so that the upper portion of the first inner wall portion 64 protrudes outward to provide a wall surface facing the upper surface of the first portion S1B, thereby restricting the first portion S1B from being displaced upward Z1.

[0145] Furthermore, the first inner wall portion 64 is formed with a through hole for allowing the tip portion S1A and the abutting member 24 to pass through the lower portion Z2 of the first portion S1B (FIG. 5).

[0146] [Support wall of the separation section] The detachment section further includes a second inner wall 66 having a wall surface that is provided inside the second leg S2 when the second leg S2 is displaced, thereby supporting the second leg S2 from the inside. The second inner wall 66 further has a bottom surface that is provided approximately parallel to the front-rear direction along the movement path of the second leg S2.

[0147] The front end of the second inner wall portion 66 functions as a fulcrum when bending the second leg portion S2. Therefore, the front end of the second inner wall portion 66 is provided at a position that is a second distance DS2 from the tip of the second leg portion S2, which is the bending portion of the second leg portion S2. Since the second leg portion S2 needs to have a distance that closes the opening, the front end of the second inner wall portion 66 needs to be provided at a position that is a distance that is equal to or greater than the opening width of the staple S from the tip of the second leg portion S2. The tip portion S2A of the second leg portion S2 is supported by the tip support portion 68. Furthermore, the opening width of the staple S corresponds to the width between the wall surface of the first inner wall portion 64 and the wall surface of the second inner wall portion 66. For this reason, the second inner wall portion 66 is arranged so that the distance between the tip support portion 68 (the surface facing the tip of the second leg portion S2) and the front end of the second inner wall portion 66 is greater than the width between the wall surfaces of the first inner wall portion 64 and the second inner wall portion 66, which corresponds to the opening width of the staple S.

[0148] The second displacement section 30 further includes a tip support section 68 that supports the tip section S2A of the second leg section S2. The tip support section 68 is provided on the inside of the second leg section S2 and includes a support wall section 68A having a wall surface that supports the tip section S2A from the inside.

[0149] [First displacement section] The first displacement portion 20 has a function of displacing the first leg portion S1 so as to be engageable with the first object G.

[0150] The first displacement portion 20 in this embodiment comprises a first arm 22 that rotates when pushed by the first front end portion 44A1 of the slider 44, and an abutment member 24 (claw member) that moves toward the inside of the staple S while abutting against the tip portion S1A of the first leg portion S1 as the first arm 22 rotates, thereby bending the tip portion S1A of the first leg portion S1 so as to plastically deform.

[0151] First, the configuration of the first front end 44A1 of the slider 44 will be described.

[0152] 7A and 7B, the first front end 44A1 of the slider 44 is provided at the left Y2 end of the slider 44 and extends forward X1. The first front end 44A1 includes a first protrusion 44A11 that protrudes upward Z1 to rotate the first arm 22 in a first rotation direction R1 by contacting the first arm 22 during forward X1 movement, and a second protrusion 44A12 that rotates the first arm 22 in a second rotation direction R2 opposite to the first rotation direction R1 by contacting the first arm 22 during backward X2 movement.

[0153] The first protrusion 44A11 is provided further rearward (X2) than the second protrusion 44A12. The first protrusion 44A11 is also provided further outward (leftward Y2) than the second protrusion 44A12. This configuration allows the distance between the rotation axis of the first arm 22 and the first protrusion 44A11 to be greater than the distance between the rotation axis of the first arm 22 and the second protrusion 44A12, making it possible to generate a large rotational torque during forward movement, which is a heavy load.

[0154] The first front end 44A1 of the slider 44 further includes a protruding portion 44A13 extending forward X1. The protruding portion 44A13 presses down on the first portion S1B connected to the tip portion S1A of the first leg portion S1 from above Z1 when the tip portion S1A of the first leg portion S1 undergoes plastic deformation, thereby preventing the first portion S1B from bending.

[0155] Next, we will explain the first arm 22 of the first displacement portion 20. The first arm 22 is a member that rotates in a first direction when pushed forward X1 by the first front end portion 44A1 of the slider 44, causing the abutment member 24 to translate inward.

[0156] Fig. 12A is a partially enlarged top view showing the front end portion of the binding machine 10 when plastic deformation by the first displacement unit 20 begins, Fig. 12B is a partially enlarged left side view of the cross section of the first displacement unit 20, and Fig. 12C is an enlarged perspective view of the front end portion of the binding machine 10. However, for convenience, parts unnecessary for explanation are omitted from each figure.

[0157] As shown in FIG. 12A etc., the rotation axis 22AX of the first arm 22 is provided outward (to the right Y1) and forward X1 of the first leg S1 of the staple S. The rotation axis 22AX of the first arm 22 is also provided perpendicular to the front-rear direction so as to face up and down. Furthermore, the first arm 22 has a portion that extends rearward X2 from the rotation axis 22AX during standby, and the rear end of this portion has a wall portion that protrudes downward Z2 and extends inwardly and rearward X2. The surface of this wall portion facing rearward X2 faces rearward X2 and outward in the initial state, and the surface of this wall portion facing frontward X1 faces forward X1 and inward. The surface of this wall portion facing rearward X2 includes a surface that abuts against the advancing first protrusion 44A11. This wall portion rotates in a first rotation direction R1 by contacting the first protrusion 44A11, and moves to penetrate the region between the first protrusion 44A11 and the second protrusion 44A12. The surface of this wall portion facing forward X1 includes a surface that contacts the receding second protrusion 44A12. Therefore, the wall portion is configured to return to its original position by contacting the second protrusion 44A12 and rotating in a second rotation direction R2 opposite to the first rotation direction R1.

[0158] 12C, a protrusion 22C protruding downward Z2 is further provided on the rear end of the first arm 22. This protrusion 22C engages with a recess 24A provided on the end of the abutting member 24. When this protrusion 22C rotates around the rotation axis 22AX of the first arm 22 in a first rotation direction R1, the abutting member 24 advances toward the inside of the staples S.

[0159] 13 shows a perspective view of the abutting member 24 (claw member). The abutting member 24 is pushed by the first arm 22 and advances in a direction inclined inward and downward Z2 of the staple S, thereby plastically deforming the tip S1A of the first leg S1 of the staple S. The abutting member 24 bends the tip S1A of the first leg S1 so that the tip intersects with the first portion S1B connected to the tip S1A of the first leg S1 in a top view and advances downward Z2 away from a plane PL that passes through the first leg S1, the second leg S2, and the main body S3 before bundling. By plastically deforming the tip S1A of the first leg S1 inward and downward Z2 while sandwiching the first object G, the tip S1A of the first leg S1 can sandwich the first object G without interfering with the first portion S1B.

[0160] As shown in the figure, a recess 24A is provided at the end of the abutment member 24 to engage with a protrusion 22C protruding downward Z2 of the first arm 22. When the protrusion 22C of the first arm 22 rotates in the first rotation direction R1, the side surface of the recess 24A abuts against it, causing the abutment member 24 to move in a direction tilting inward and downward Z2, and when this protrusion 22C rotates in the second rotation direction R2, the other side surface of the recess 24A abuts against it, causing the abutment member 24 to return to a direction tilting upward Z1 and outward.

[0161] The tip of the abutting member 24 includes an abutting surface 24B that abuts against the tip portion so as to grip it, and a corner 24C that is provided at the connection between the abutting surface 24B and the side surface and that applies stress to plastically deform the tip portion. Here, the abutting surface 24B is formed to be recessed to match the cross-sectional shape of the staple S. The abutting surface 24B is also formed to be inclined so as to abut against the tip portion S1A before the corner 24C. With this configuration, the tip portion S1A can be plastically deformed by the corner 24C after the abutting surface 24B has taken in the tip portion S1A so as to grip it, and therefore the position of the tip portion S1A that is plastically deformed by the corner 24C can be stabilized.

[0162] FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of the distal end S1A after plastic deformation by the abutting member 24, as viewed from the front, and an enlarged view of region A in this cross-section. As shown in the figure, the abutting member 24 is placed on the inclined surface of the base 46, which slopes downward inward, and is guided to move inward of the staple S (toward the second arm 32) and in a downward direction Z2. The first portion S1B of the first leg S1 is supported from above Z1 by the bottom surface of the slider 44 and from the inside and below Z2 by the first inner wall portion 64 (except for the portion where the distal end S1A passes below Z2 the first portion S1B). In addition, the abutting surface 24B of the abutting member 24 faces the outer surface of the first portion S1B during plastic deformation. This makes it possible to prevent the first portion S1B from bending during plastic deformation of the distal end S1A of the first leg S1.

[0163] [Second displacement section] The second displacement portion 30 has a function of displacing the second leg portion S2 so as to be engageable with the first object G.

[0164] The second displacement portion 30 includes a second arm 32 that is rotated in the first rotation direction R1 by the second front end portion 44A2 of the slider 44, thereby bending the second leg portion S2 so as to plastically deform it.

[0165] First, the configuration of the second front end portion 44A2 of the slider 44 will be described.

[0166] 7A and 7B, the second front end 44A2 of the slider 44 is provided at the right Y1 end of the slider 44, extending forward X1. The second front end 44A2 includes a first surface 44A21 and a second surface 44A22 facing forward X1 to abut against the second arm 32 during forward X1 movement, thereby rotating the second arm 32 in a first rotation direction R1, and a third surface 44A23 located further forward X1 than the first front surfaces 44A21 and second surface 44A22 and facing rear X2. By disposing the rear end 32B of the second arm 32 between the first surface 44A21, the second surface 44A22, and the third surface 44A23, the second arm 32 rotates in the first rotation direction R1 when the slider 44 advances, and rotates in a second rotation direction R2 to return to its original position when the slider 44 retreats.

[0167] The first surface 44A21 of the slider 44 corresponds to the surface where the first front end portion 44A1 of the advancing slider 44 first comes into contact with the rear end portion 32B of the second arm 32. The surface of the rear end portion 32B of the second arm 32 that comes into contact with the first surface 44A21 is referred to as the first rear end surface 32B1.

[0168] The second surface 44A22 of the slider 44 corresponds to the surface where the second front end portion 44A2 of the slider 44, which moves further forward, comes into contact with the rear end portion 32B of the second arm 32 after the first surface 44A21 comes into contact with the first rear end surface 32B1 and the second arm 32 starts rotating in the first rotation direction R1. The surface of the rear end portion 32B of the second arm 32 that comes into contact with the second surface 44A22 is referred to as the second rear end surface 32B2.

[0169] As shown in Figure 7B, etc., in the up-down direction, the first surface 44A21 is located above Z1 the second surface 44A22, in the front-rear direction the first surface 44A21 is located behind X2 the second surface 44A22, and in the left-right direction the first surface 44A21 is located to the right Y1 of the second surface 44A22, that is, with respect to the staple S as the reference, the first surface 44A21 is located outward (to the right Y1) from the second surface 44A22.

[0170] With this configuration, the slider 44 can push the second arm 32 with the first surface 44A21, and then further push the second arm 32 with the second surface 44A22, thereby making it possible to increase the rotation angle of the second arm 32 relative to the stroke of the slider 44.

[0171] Furthermore, the slider 44 and the second arm 32 are formed so that the angle (an example of the "first angle") formed by the normal to the first rear end face 32B1 at the contact point (an example of the "first contact point") that abuts against the first surface 44A21 of the slider 44 and the straight line connecting the first contact point and the rotation axis 32AX is closer to 90 degrees than the angle (an example of the "second angle") formed by the normal to the second rear end face 32B2 at the contact point (an example of the "second contact point") that abuts against the second surface 44A22 of the slider 44 and the straight line connecting the second contact point and the rotation axis 32AX when there is no first contact point.

[0172] The slider 44 and the second arm 32 are configured so that, when the contact point changes due to the rotation of the second arm 32, the angle (an example of the "first angle") formed by the normal to the first rear end face 32B1 at the contact point abutting the first surface 44A21 of the slider 44 (an example of the "first contact point") and the straight line connecting the first contact point and the rotation axis 32AX is equal to the angle (an example of the "second angle") formed by the normal to the second rear end face 32B2 at the contact point abutting the second surface 44A22 of the slider 44 (an example of the "second contact point") and the straight line connecting the second contact point and the rotation axis 32AX. Alternatively, the slider 44 and the second arm 32 are formed so that the angle (an example of a "second angle") formed by the normal to the second rear end face 32B2 at the contact point (an example of a "second contact point") that abuts against the second surface 44A22 of the slider 44 and the straight line connecting the second contact point and the rotation axis 32AX is close to 90 degrees.

[0173] This configuration allows the rotation moment when the first surface 44A21 abuts against the first rear end face 32B1 to be relatively larger than the rotation moment when the second surface 44A22 abuts against the second rear end face 32B2.

[0174] As will be described later, the second leg S2 needs to bend at two locations simultaneously when the second arm 32 starts to rotate, so a large load is applied to the second arm 32 when the rotation starts. For this reason, when the rotation starts and a load is applied, the first surface 44A21 of the slider 44 pushes the second arm 32 forward in the direction X1, thereby generating a relatively large rotation moment in the second arm 32. Note that, in order to increase the rotation moment, the distance between the rotation axis 32AX of the second arm 32 and the first rear end surface 32B1 may be greater than the distance between the rotation axis 32AX of the second arm 32 and the second rear end surface 32B2. In other words, the distance between the rotation axis 32AX of the second arm 32 and the second rear end surface 32B2 may be smaller than the distance between the rotation axis 32AX of the second arm 32 and the first rear end surface 32B1.

[0175] Next, the second arm 32 will be described. Figure 15 is a perspective view of the second arm 32 as seen from below. Figures 16A and 16B are a plan view and a rear view of the second arm 32, respectively.

[0176] As shown in these drawings, the second arm 32 includes, in an initial state, a rear end portion 32B extending rearward X2 from the rotation axis 32AX, and a tip portion 32C extending forward X1 from the rotation axis 32AX.

[0177] Since the first rear end face 32B1 of the rear end portion 32B is located rearward X2 from the second rear end face 32B2, it is possible to abut the first surface 44A21 of the slider 44 against the first rear end face 32B1, and then abut the second surface 44A22 against the second rear end face 32B2.

[0178] The rotation axis 32AX is provided on the left side Y2 (inward) of the first rear end surface 32B1 and the second rear end surface 32B2, which is closer to the center. Therefore, when the rear end portion 32B is pushed forward X1, the tip portion 32C of the second arm 32 rotates in a first rotation direction R1 toward the inside of the staple S or toward the first arm 22.

[0179] Furthermore, the rotation axis 32AX is inclined so as to move inward (leftward Y2) as it moves downward Z2. Therefore, the tip 32C of the second arm 32, which rotates in the first rotation direction R1, is arranged so as to move upward Z1 as it rotates in the first rotation direction R1. As a result, the second leg S2 of the staple S, which is plastically deformed by the second arm 32, also moves upward Z1 as it rotates, and is configured to be able to engage with the first object G at a position Z1 above a plane PL that penetrates the first leg S1, the second leg S2, and the main body S3 before binding.

[0180] The tip 32C of the second arm 32 includes a main body 32C1 that abuts against the second leg S2 and a protrusion 32C2 for bending back. The main body 32C1 has two convex portions that are spaced apart from each other and protrude in the first rotation direction R1 at a position spaced apart from the rotation axis 32AX. These convex portions sandwich the second leg S2 from above and below, firmly holding the second leg S2 and enabling it to plastically deform.

[0181] The second arm 32 is provided at a position further forward in the first rotation direction R1 than the main body 32C1 and includes a bending-back protrusion 32C2 that protrudes downward Z2. After the second arm 32 is rotated in the first rotation direction R1 to bend the second leg S2, the second arm 32 is rotated in the second rotation direction R2 to return the second leg S2 in the second rotation direction R2 using the protrusion 32C2, thereby making it possible to engage the tip end S2A of the second leg S2 with the first object G.

[0182] The bending-back protrusion 32C2 is inclined so as to protrude downward Z2 as it advances in the first rotation direction R1. With this configuration, when rotated in the second rotation direction R2, the bending-back protrusion 32C2 can smoothly climb over the second leg S2 engaged with the first object G while returning the second leg S2 in the second rotation direction R2. Note that an urging force toward the upward Z1 acts on the plastically deformed staple S by the pusher 16 via the staple S at the lower Z2. The elevation angle of the second leg S2 when displaced (e.g., 10 to 45 degrees with respect to a plane PL that penetrates the first leg S1, the second leg S2, and the main body S3 before binding) and the inclination angle of the bending-back protrusion 32C2 are designed so that the protrusion can climb over the second leg S2 against this urging force.

[0183] [Binding method using a binding machine] A bundling method using the bundling machine 10 will be described below.

[0184] As described above, FIGS. 11A and 11B are partial enlarged views showing the front end portion of the binding machine 10 in the initial state (standby state) as viewed from the front and from above.

[0185] At this time, the staple S at the upper end is connected to one or more staples S housed in the magazine 14 at the lower Z2. The driver 42 is located at the rear X2 of the main body S3 of the staple S at the upper end. There is a slight gap between the front end of the driver 42 and the main body S3 of the staple S at the upper end. The slider 44 has a tip 44A13 at its left end that slightly overlaps with the staple S.

[0186] 17A and 17B are partially enlarged views of the front end portion of the binding machine 10, as viewed from the front and from above, immediately after the user operates the switch and the driver 42 begins to move. When the user operates the switch, the motor 54 begins to rotate, which in turn rotates the ball screw 50 in the forward direction, causing the nut component 52 and the slider 44 fixed to the nut component 52 to begin moving forward toward X1. Because the first claw 48C1 and the third claw 48C3 of the switching block 48 held by the nut component 52 are inserted into the first groove 42G1 and the third groove 42G3, the front surfaces of the first claw 48C1 and the third claw 48C3 abut against the side surface of the first groove 42G1 facing the rear X2 and the side surface of the third groove 42G3 facing the rear X2, respectively, thereby starting the driver 42's forward movement toward X1. This initiates a first movement operation in which the driver 42 and the slider 44 move forward together.

[0187] As shown in FIG. 8A, the base 46 is configured such that the height of the driver 42 is equal to the height of the staple S at the top end. Almost The staples S are provided so as to coincide with each other. As a result, the front end surface 42S of the driver 42 moving in the forward X1 direction on the base 46 comes into contact with the main body portion S3 of the staple S at the upper end, and pushes the main body portion S3 of the staple S in the forward X1 direction. A separation block 18 (FIG. 5) is provided inside the staples S at the lower Z2 to prohibit the staples S at the lower Z2 from moving in the forward X1 direction. As a result, only the staple S at the upper end separates from the staples S at the lower Z2 and moves on the separation block 18 in the forward X1 direction.

[0188] 18 is a partially enlarged view showing the front end portion of the binding machine 10 as viewed from above when the driver 42 advances and the tip S1A of the first leg S1 of the staple S advances along the guide path of the detachment section. Note that the front view is the same as FIG. 17A and therefore is omitted.

[0189] As the ball screw 50 continues to rotate in the forward direction, the slider 44 moves forward X1. As a result, the first front end 44A1 of the slider 44 advances so that the tip 44A13 is positioned on the first leg S1, and the second front end 44A2 advances along the right edge of the binding machine 10. The driver 42 also advances together with the slider 44. The tip S1A of the first leg S1 contacts the wall surface of the first region 62A, which corresponds to the entry portion of the first outer wall 62. Furthermore, the inside of the first portion S1B of the first leg S1 contacts the wall surface of the first inner wall 64. Because the distance between the wall surface of the first outer wall 62 and the wall surface of the first inner wall 64 decreases as the slider advances forward X1, the first leg S1 plastically deforms so that the bending angle α1 decreases as the slider advances. At this time, the tip 42B of the driver 42 supports the first portion S1B and the left end of the main body portion S3 from the outside, and the tip 44A13 of the slider 44 abuts against the upper surface of the first leg portion S1 and presses down on the first leg portion S1 from above Z1, thereby preventing the first portion S1B from bending. Because the distance between the wall surface of the first outer wall portion 62 and the wall surface of the first inner wall portion 64 in the first region 62A decreases relatively greatly, the angle between the tip S1A of the first leg portion S1 and the first portion S1B decreases relatively greatly. Because the distance between the wall surface of the first outer wall portion 62 and the wall surface of the first inner wall portion 64 in the subsequent second region 62B decreases relatively small, the bending angle decreases relatively small.

[0190] 19 is a partially enlarged top view of the front end of the binding machine 10 when the driver 42 advances and the tip S1A of the first leg S1 of the staple S passes through the first outer wall 62. The front view is the same as FIG. 17A and is therefore omitted. As shown in the figure, by passing through the first outer wall 62, the tip undergoes plastic deformation and the bending angle α1 is significantly reduced.

[0191] 20 is a partially enlarged top view showing the state when the driver 42 has advanced to the farthest point and the staple S has reached the displacement start position. At this time, the bent portion of the first leg S1 of the staple S reaches the front end of the first inner wall 64 (the inner wall surface of the first inner wall 64 facing the rear X2), and the tip S2A of the second leg S2 reaches the front end of the tip support portion 68 (the inner wall surface of the tip support portion 68 facing the rear X2). Note that the front view is the same as FIG. 17A, and therefore is omitted from the drawing.

[0192] At this time, the bent portion of the first leg S1 and the inner surface and lower surface of the first portion S1B are supported from below Z2 and to the right Y1 (inward) by the first inner wall portion 64. The bent portion of the first leg S1 is also supported from the front X1 by the first inner wall portion 64. Furthermore, the upper surface of the first portion S1B is supported from above Z1 by the tip 44A13 of the first front end portion 44A1 of the slider 44.

[0193] On the other hand, the inner surface and the lower surface of the tip portion S2A of the second leg portion S2 are supported from below Z2 and from the left side Y2 (inside) by the tip portion.

[0194] Furthermore, the inner surface of the main body portion S3 and the inner surface of the connecting portion of the second leg portion S2 with the main body portion S3 are supported from the inside by the second inner wall portion 66.

[0195] At this time, the second claw 48C2 of the switching block 48, which had been pushing the driver 42 forward X1, is moved upward Z1 by the second protrusion 46A2. As a result, the switching block 48 rides up on the driver 42, causing the driver 42 to stop moving forward X1, and the first movement operation ends. At the same time, the ball urged upward Z1 from the hole formed in the base 46 fits into a recess provided in the bottom surface of the driver 42 and functions as a stopper, so that the frictional force with the switching block 48 prevents the driver 42 from moving forward X1 or backward X2.

[0196] The first protrusion 44A11 and the second protrusion 44A12 of the first front end portion 44A1 of the slider 44 are close to the rear end of the first arm 22. In addition, the first surface of the second front end portion 44A2 of the slider 44 is close to or abuts against the first rear end surface 32B1 of the second arm 32.

[0197] After the first moving operation is completed, the motor 54 is stopped from rotating by the control device. At this time, the user sets the first object G and the second object P in predetermined positions in the binding machine 10. In this embodiment, the first object G is a string that functions as a guide element. Therefore, the user inserts the string, which is the first object G, into the bent portion of the first leg S1. In this embodiment, the second object P is a stem. Therefore, the user inserts the stem, which is the second object P, into the area surrounded by the staples S. The portions of the binding machine 10 into which the first object G and the second object P are inserted may be referred to as the first insertion portion and the second insertion portion. In this embodiment, the first object G is inserted into the bent portion of the first leg S1, which is supported by the first inner wall portion 64, so the first inner wall portion 64 corresponds to the first insertion portion. Furthermore, the second object P is inserted into a recess in the binding machine 10 recessed at the rear X2 so as to be sandwiched between the first inner wall portion 64 and the second inner wall portion 66, and this recess corresponds to the second insertion portion.

[0198] Figures 21A and 21B are partially enlarged views showing the front end portion of the binding machine 10 in front and top views when a user inserts a first object G into the first insertion section and a second object P into the second insertion section.

[0199] Thereafter, when the user operates the switch, or when sensors such as contact sensors provided in the first insertion portion and the second insertion portion detect that the first object G and the second object P have been inserted, the motor 54 starts rotating again. When the motor 54 resumes rotation, the ball screw 50 rotates in the forward direction, and the nut part 52 and the slider 44 fixed to the nut part 52 start moving forward X1. The switching block 48 moves forward on the driver 42, so the driver 42 does not move forward. Therefore, a second movement operation begins in which only the slider 44 moves forward out of the driver 42 and the slider 44.

[0200] 22A and 22B are partial enlarged views showing the front end portion of the binding machine 10 in front and top views when the slider 44 has further advanced in the second movement operation. The driver 42 does not advance in the second movement operation. Therefore, the inner surface of the main body S3 of the staple S is supported by the first inner wall portion 64 and the second inner wall portion 66, and the outer surface is supported by the driver 42 and remains stationary.

[0201] The first protrusion 44A11 of the first front end 44A1 of the slider 44 abuts against the rearward X2-facing surface of the wall portion of the rear end of the first arm 22, which protrudes downward Z2 and extends in an inclined direction, pushing the first arm 22 forward X1. At this time, the rotation axis 22AX of the first arm 22 is located forward X1 and outward (leftward Y2) from the first protrusion 44A11. Therefore, the first arm 22 begins to rotate in the first rotation direction R1. The wall portion of the rear end of the first arm 22 rotates in the first rotation direction R1 while passing through the gap between the first protrusion 44A11 and the second protrusion 44A12. At this point, the first leg S1 has not been plastically deformed by the first displacement portion 20.

[0202] Meanwhile, the first surface 44A21 of the second front end portion 44A2 abuts against the first rear end surface 32B1 of the second arm 32, pushing the second arm 32 forward X1. At this time, the rotation axis 32AX of the second arm 32 is positioned forward X1 and inward (leftward Y2) with respect to the first rear end surface 32B1, so the second arm 32 also begins to rotate in the first rotation direction R1. The second leg portion S2, which is sandwiched from above and below between the two protrusions of the main body portion S3 of the second arm 32, attempts to bend inward with the front end of the second inner wall portion 66 as a fulcrum.

[0203] At this time, the tip portion S2A of the second leg portion S2 is supported from the inside by the wall surface of the support wall portion 68A of the tip support portion 68 provided on the inside of the second leg portion S2. Therefore, the second leg portion S2 is bent toward the inside of the staple S with the front end of the second inner wall portion 66 as a fulcrum, and at the same time, the tip portion S2A of the second leg portion S2 is bent in the opposite direction (outward) by passing through the support wall portion 68A while abutting against the wall surface of the support wall portion 68A of the tip support portion 68.

[0204] As described above, the rotation axis 32AX of the second arm 32 is inclined so that it moves inward as it moves downward Z2, so that the tip S2A of the second leg S2 moves upward Z1 while approaching the first leg S1 as it rotates in the first rotation direction R1.

[0205] Furthermore, the period during which the tip S2A of the second leg S2 of the staple S is in contact with the wall surface of the support wall portion 68A and the period during which the first surface 44A21 of the slider 44 is in contact with the first rear end surface 32B1 of the second arm 32 are configured to overlap for at least a portion of the time, so that a relatively large rotational moment can be generated under high load.

[0206] 23A and 23B are partially enlarged views showing the front end portion of the binding machine 10 in front and top views when the slider 44 has moved further forward in the second movement operation.

[0207] The first arm 22 is further rotated in the first rotation direction R1 by being pushed by the first protrusion 44A11 of the first front end portion 44A1 of the slider 44. At this time, the protrusion 44A13 of the first front end portion 44A1 of the slider 44 reaches the front end of the first inner wall portion 64, and the slider 44 presses down on the upper surface of the first portion S1B of the first leg portion S1 from above Z1. As a result, the first portion S1B of the first leg portion S1 is supported from above Z1, below Z2, and inward by the slider 44 and the first inner wall portion 64.

[0208] The second rear end surface 32B2 of the second arm 32 is pushed by the second surface 44A22 of the second front end portion 44A2 of the slider 44, thereby further rotating in the first rotation direction R1. As shown in Fig. 23B, the second leg S2 held by the second arm 32 is bent to a position where it intersects with the first leg S1, so that the opening provided in the staple S before bundling is closed in a top view, and the first leg S1, the second leg S2 and the main body S3 of the staple S surround the second object P in a top view. Note that in a front view shown in Fig. 23A, the tip S2A of the second leg S2 moves upward Z1 and approaches the first object G.

[0209] Furthermore, after a period of time during which the tip portion S2A of the second leg portion S2 of the staple S is in contact with the support wall portion 68A has elapsed, the second surface 44A22 of the slider 44 is in contact with the second rear end surface 32B2 of the second arm 32, so that a relatively small rotational moment can be generated under a relatively low load.

[0210] 24A and 24B are partially enlarged views showing the front end portion of the binding machine 10 in front and top views immediately before the slider 44 moves most forward in the second movement operation.

[0211] The first arm 22 is pushed by the first convex portion 44A11 of the first front end portion 44A1 of the slider 44 to further rotate in the first rotation direction R1, come into contact with the first object G, and push and displace the first object G. In addition, the convex portion 22C of the first arm 22 protruding downward Z2 comes into contact with the concave portion 24A provided at the end of the abutting member 24. Therefore, as the convex portion 22C of the first arm 22 rotates, the abutting member 24 starts to move in a direction inclined inward and downward Z2 toward the staple S. First, the abutting surface 24B of the abutting member 24 comes into contact with the tip portion S1A of the first leg S1, and then the corner portion 24C of the abutting member 24 comes into contact with the tip portion S1A of the first leg S1, plastically deforming the tip portion so as to bend it back. The tip S1A of the first leg S1, folded back by the abutting member 24, passes below the first portion S1B Z2 and bends to intersect with the first portion S1B in a top view. As shown in FIG. 14, which corresponds to a cross-sectional view of the intersection of the first portion S1B and the tip S1A, the tip S1A can be plastically deformed so that the first portion S1B (upper) and the tip S1A (lower) are adjacent to each other in the vertical direction. At this time, the tip of the abutting member 24 and the tip of the second leg S2 enter through holes formed in the first inner wall 64 and communicating with the area surrounded by the staple S in a top view. As shown in the figure, the first portion S1B is surrounded from above, below (except for the areas through which the folded-back tip S1A and the abutting member 24 pass), and from the inside by the slider 44 and the first inner wall 64, thereby preventing the first portion S1B from bending.

[0212] Through the above process, the first leg S1 sandwiches the first object G. Because the first leg S1 is plastically deformed, the engagement between the first leg S1 and the first object G is not easily released.

[0213] Meanwhile, the second rear end surface 32B2 of the second arm 32 is pushed by the second surface of the second front end portion 44A2 of the slider 44, and thereby further rotates in the first rotation direction R1. As a result, the second leg portion S2 moves beyond the first object G and approaches the second object P in top view.

[0214] Thereafter, the motor 54 rotates the ball screw 50 in the reverse direction, and the slider 44 begins to move backward.

[0215] 25A, 25B, and 25C are partially enlarged front and top views and partially enlarged perspective views of the front end portion of the binding machine 10 after the slider 44 has started to move backward.

[0216] When the slider 44 begins to move backward, the second protrusion 44A12 of the first front end 44A1 of the slider 44 abuts against the surface facing forward X1 of the wall portion of the first arm 22, which moves to penetrate the area between the first protrusion 44A11 and the second protrusion 44A12, and pushes it backward X2, thereby rotating the first arm 22 in the second rotation direction R2.

[0217] Additionally, the third surface of the second front end 44A2 of the slider 44 contacts the rear end of the second arm 32 and pushes it backward X2, thereby rotating the second arm 32 in the second rotation direction R2. As the second arm 32 rotates in the second direction, a bending-back protrusion 32C2, which protrudes downward Z2 at a position further forward in the first rotation direction R1 than the main body S3 of the second arm 32, contacts the second leg S2 and pushes it in the second rotation direction R2. As a result, the second leg S2 is displaced in the second rotation direction R2, and as a result, the bent portion of the second leg S2 engages with the first object G. As shown in FIG. 25A , when the second leg S2 engages with the first object G, the first object G is displaced, and tension is generated between the engagement position between the first leg S1 and the first object G and the engagement position between the second leg S2 and the second object P. This makes it possible to prevent the first object G from bending and the first object G from coming out of engagement with the second leg portion S2.

[0218] 26A, 26B, and 26C are partially enlarged front and top views and partially enlarged perspective views of the front end portion of the binder 10 when the slider 44 has further retracted.

[0219] The second protrusion 44A12 of the first front end 44A1 of the slider 44 abuts against the surface of the wall portion of the first arm 22 facing forward X1 as it moves through the area between the first protrusion 44A11 and the second protrusion 44A12, and pushes it backward X2, causing the first arm 22 to further rotate in the second rotation direction R2.

[0220] From this state, when first arm 22 further rotates in second rotation direction R2 to the initial position shown in Fig. 21B, the ball member biased by the elastic member fits into a recess provided on the underside of first arm 22. This causes first arm 22 to be held in the initial position.

[0221] The third surface of the second front end 44A2 of the slider 44 abuts against the surface of the rear end of the second arm 32 facing forward (X1) and pushes it backward (X2), causing the second arm 32 to further rotate in the second rotation direction R2. Because the second leg S2 engages with the first object G, the bending-back protrusion 32C2 of the second arm 32 cannot further displace the second leg S2 in the second rotation direction R2. Therefore, the bending-back protrusion 32C2 of the second arm 32 overcomes the second leg S2 while slightly pushing the second leg S2 downward (Z2). As shown in FIG. 26C , a biasing force toward upward (Z1) is applied to the staple S by the pusher 16 via the staple S at the downward position (Z2). The binding machine 10 is configured so that the bending-back protrusion 32C2 can overcome the second leg S2 against this biasing force.

[0222] From this state, when second arm 32 further rotates in second rotation direction R2 to the initial position shown in Fig. 21B, the ball member biased by the elastic member fits into a recess provided on the underside of second arm 32. This holds second arm 32 in the initial position.

[0223] After the bundling operation is completed, the motor 54 further rotates the ball screw 50 in the reverse direction. The second claw 48C2 of the switching block 48 moves backward (X2) and downward (Z2) along the inclined surface of the second protrusion 46A2 provided on the base 46. As a result, the first claw 48C1, the second claw 48C2, and the third claw 48C3 of the switching block 48 are inserted into the regions of the first groove 42G1, the second groove 42G2, and the third groove 42G3, respectively. At this time, the first arm 22 and the second arm 32 return to approximately their initial positions. When the motor 54 further rotates the ball screw 50 in the reverse direction, the switching block 48 moves backward (X2), and the rear surface of the second claw 48C2 of the switching block 48 abuts against the side surface of the second groove 42G2 facing forward (X1). Therefore, the switching block 48 moves the driver 42 backward X2 with the rear surface of the second claw portion 48C2 while pressing the surface of the base 46 downward Z2 with the elastic member 49. This makes it possible to return the driver 42 to its initial position.

[0224] Through the above process, the second leg S2 engages with the first object G. As described above, the second leg S2 engages with the first object G while passing through (penetrating) the gap between the first object G and the second object P in a top view, and therefore the second object P is surrounded by the staples S. This prevents the second object P from easily disengaging from the staples S. Furthermore, even if the second object P grows and the second leg S2 bends, the engagement with the first object G becomes stronger, and therefore the engagement between the first object G and the staples S is also prevented from easily disengaging.

[0225] However, the binding machine 10 according to this embodiment is modifiable. For example, the first displacement unit 20 may be configured to plastically deform the tip S1A of the first leg S1 using the first arm 22 without using the abutting member 24. For example, a component in which the first arm 22 and the abutting member 24 are integrated may be provided, and the tip S1A of the first leg S1 may be plastically deformed by rotating this component. In this case, the first arm 22 may be configured so that the tip passes under the first section S1B by tilting the rotation axis 22AX of the first arm 22 and providing the first arm 22 so that it descends as it rotates in the first rotation direction R1. Conversely, the first arm 22 may be configured so that the tip passes over the first section S1B by providing the first arm 22 so that it ascends as it rotates in the first rotation direction R1. For example, the tip S1A of the first leg S1 folded back by the abutment member 24 may be bent to pass above the first part S1B in the Z1 direction and intersect with the first part S1B in a top view. On the other hand, the second leg S2 may be bent to proceed downward in the Z2 direction away from the plane PL that passes through the second leg S2 and the main body S3.

[0226] Furthermore, the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, within the scope of the ordinary creative ability of a person skilled in the art, other known configurations can be added to some components in a certain embodiment. Also, some components in a certain embodiment can be replaced with other known components. Each component disclosed in this application can be reasonably combined with or replaced with other known components within the scope of the ordinary creative ability of a person skilled in the art.

[0227] The invention according to the present application can be implemented as an invention including the above-described embodiments, as well as as a binding machine or a binding method described in the following appendix.

[0228] That is, the present application further discloses a binding machine as shown below.

[0229] (Appendix 1) A binding machine that binds a first object and a second object using a staple including a first leg portion, a second leg portion, and a main body portion that connects the first leg portion and the second leg portion, wherein an opening is formed between the first leg portion and the second leg portion, and a tip end portion of the first leg portion is bent outward, a moving section including a driver configured to be able to move the staple forward by moving forward; a first displacement portion including a first outer wall portion against which the tip end of the first leg portion passes while coming into contact when the staple is moved forward by the driver, and displacing the first leg portion so as to be engageable with the first object; a second displacement unit that surrounds the second object with the first leg, the second leg, and the main body and displaces the second leg so as to be engageable with the first object; A binding machine comprising:

[0230] (Appendix 1A) the first displacement portion includes a first inner wall portion that is provided on the inside of the first leg portion when the staple is moved forward by the driver, The gap between the first outer wall portion and the first inner wall portion becomes smaller toward the front. Any binding machine described in this application to which this configuration is applicable, including the binding machine described in Appendix 1.

[0231] (Appendix 1A1) The first outer wall portion is a first region in which the gap between the first inner wall portion and the first region decreases at a first decrease rate; a second region provided forward of the first region, the gap between the first inner wall portion and the second region decreasing at a second decrease rate that is smaller than the first decrease rate; Any of the strapping machines described in this application to which this configuration is applicable, including the strapping machine described in Appendix 1A including:

[0232] (Appendix 2) A binding machine that binds a first object and a second object using a staple including a first leg portion, a second leg portion, and a main body portion that connects the first leg portion and the second leg portion, and in which an opening is formed between the first leg portion and the second leg portion, a moving unit including a slider configured to be movable forward; a first displacement unit including a first arm that rotates when pushed by a first front end of the slider that moves forward, and configured to be able to engage the first leg with the first object using the first arm; a second displacement portion including a second arm that is rotated by being pushed by a second front end portion of the slider that moves forward, and a wall portion that is provided inside the second leg portion of the staple and against which a tip end portion of the second leg that is displaced inward of the staple by the rotation of the second arm passes while coming into contact; A binding machine comprising:

[0233] (Appendix 2A) the second displacement portion is configured to bend the tip end portion of the second leg outward by passing through the wall portion while bringing the tip end portion of the second leg into contact with the wall portion while displacing the second leg inward by the rotation of the second arm, Thereafter, the first displacement portion is configured to bend the tip end portion of the first leg portion toward the inside of the staple by an abutting member that advances toward the inside of the staple due to rotation of the first arm in the first rotation direction. Any binding machine described in this application to which this configuration is applicable, including the binding machine described in Appendix 2.

[0234] (Appendix 2B) the second arm is configured to rotate in a first rotation direction by being pushed by a second front end of the slider moving forward; The second arm has a rotation axis that is inclined so that the front end of the second arm moves upward as it rotates in the first rotation direction. Any strapping machine described in this application to which this configuration is applicable, including the strapping machine described in Appendix 2 or Appendix 2A.

[0235] (Appendix 2C) The contact member of the first displacement portion bends the tip end of the first leg portion so as to pass under the first leg portion. Any binding machine described in the present application to which this configuration is applicable, including the binding machine described in any one of Supplementary Note 2 to Supplementary Note 2B.

[0236] (Appendix 3) A binding machine that binds a first object and a second object using a staple including a first leg portion, a second leg portion, and a main body portion that connects the first leg portion and the second leg portion, and in which an opening is formed between the first leg portion and the second leg portion, a moving unit including a driver and a slider, configured to be able to perform a first movement operation in which the driver and the slider move forward, and a second movement operation in which the slider of the driver and the slider that have moved forward by the first movement operation moves further forward; a first displacement portion that displaces the first leg portion so as to be engageable with the first object by a first front end portion of the slider that moves forward by the second movement operation; a second displacement unit that displaces the second leg unit so that the second object can be engaged with the first object by surrounding the second object with the first leg unit, the second leg unit, and the main body unit using a second front end unit of the slider that moves forward by the second movement operation; A binding machine comprising:

[0237] (Appendix 3A) In the first moving operation, the driver is configured to move the staple connected to the other staples forward to separate the staple from the other staples. Any of the strapping machines described in this application to which this configuration is applicable, including the strapping machine described in Appendix 3.

[0238] (Appendix 3B) In the first moving operation, the driver is configured to move the staple forward to cause the tip of the first leg portion to abut against a first outer wall portion included in the first displacement portion, thereby displacing the tip of the first leg portion. Any strapping machine described in this application to which this configuration is applicable, including the strapping machine described in Appendix 3 or 3A.

[0239] (Appendix 4A) To separate one staple from another Driver and A slider moving forward; a first displacement unit including a first arm that rotates in a first rotation direction by the slider moving forward; a second displacement unit including a second arm that rotates in the first rotation direction by the slider moving forward; A binding machine comprising:

[0240] (Appendix 4B) a driver for separating one staple from the other staples; A slider moving forward; a first displacement unit including a first arm that rotates in a first rotation direction by the slider moving forward; a second displacement unit including a second arm that rotates in a direction different from the first rotation direction by the slider moving forward; A binding machine comprising:

[0241] (Appendix 4C) The binding machine includes: a first movement motion in which the driver and the slider move; a second movement operation in which only the slider moves after the driver and the slider; The binding machine according to Supplementary Note 4A or Supplementary Note 4B, which is configured to be able to execute the above.

[0242] (Appendix 5) A binding machine that binds a first object and a second object using a staple including a first leg portion, a second leg portion, and a main body portion that connects the first leg portion and the second leg portion, and in which an opening is formed between the first leg portion and the second leg portion, a moving section including a driver configured to be able to move the staple forward by moving forward, and a slider configured to be able to move forward; a first displacement unit including a first arm that rotates when pushed by a first front end of the slider that moves forward, and configured to be able to engage the first leg with the first object using the first arm; a second displacement unit including a second arm that is pushed by a second front end of the slider that moves forward and rotates, and that is configured to be able to engage the second leg with the first object using the second arm; A binding machine comprising:

[0243] (Appendix 5A1) A motor; a ball screw rotated by the motor, The moving portion includes a nut part having a female screw that is threadedly engaged with the ball screw and configured to be movable forward integrally with the slider by rotation of the male screw. Any binding machine described in this application to which this configuration is applicable, including the binding machine described in Appendix 1.

[0244] (Appendix 5A2) a base on which the driver is mounted; a block held by the nut component; an elastic member disposed between the nut part and the block, and pressing the block against the surface of the base; The driver can be moved forward by bringing the front surface of the block into contact with the side surface of the driver. Any strapping machine described in this application to which this configuration is applicable, including the strapping machine described in Appendix 5A1.

[0245] (Appendix 5A2) a groove extending in a front-rear direction and exposing a surface of the base is formed in the driver; The driver can be moved forward by abutting the front surface of the block against a side surface of a groove formed in the driver. Any strapping machine described in this application to which this configuration is applicable, including the strapping machine described in Appendix 5A1.

[0246] (Appendix 5A3) The base includes a protrusion that moves the front surface of the block moving forward above the side surface of the groove formed in the driver with which the front surface abuts. Any of the strapping machines described in this application to which this configuration is applicable, including the strapping machine described in Appendix 1A2.

[0247] (Appendix 5A4) a second groove extending in the front-rear direction and exposing the surface of the base is formed in the driver; The driver can be moved rearward by abutting the rear surface of the block against the side surface of the second groove of the driver. Any binding machine described in the present application to which this configuration is applicable, including the binding machine described in any one of appendices 5A1 to 5A3.

[0248] (Appendix 5A5) The base includes a second protrusion that moves the rear surface of the block moving rearward above the side surface of the second groove of the driver that the rear surface had been in contact with. Any of the strapping machines described in this application to which this configuration is applicable, including the strapping machine described in Appendix 5A4.

[0249] (Appendix 5A6) The block is a first claw portion having a front surface that abuts against a side surface of the groove; a second claw portion provided with the rear surface that abuts against a side surface of the second groove; Any strapping machine described in this application to which this configuration is applicable, including the strapping machine described in Appendix 5A4 or Appendix 5A5.

[0250] (Appendix 5B1) the second arm is configured to rotate in a first rotation direction by being pushed by a second front end of the slider moving forward; The second arm has a rotation axis that is inclined so that the front end of the second arm moves upward as it rotates in the first rotation direction. Any binding machine described in this application to which this configuration is applicable, including the binding machine described in Appendix 5.

[0251] (Appendix 5B2) the second arm includes a rear end portion that extends rearward from a rotation axis of the second arm in a state before rotation, The rear end of the second arm is a first rear end surface that abuts against a first surface of the second front end of the slider that moves forward and is formed at a position spaced a first distance from the rotation axis of the arm; a second rear end surface that is formed at a position where a second surface of the second front end of the slider that moves further forward abuts and is spaced a second distance from the rotation axis of the arm by a second distance that is smaller than the first distance; Any of the binding machines described in the present application to which this configuration is applicable, including the binding machine described in Appendix 5 or Appendix 5B1.

[0252] (Appendix 5B3) The second surface of the slider that abuts against the second rear end surface of the second arm is formed forward of the first surface of the slider that abuts against the first rear end surface of the arm. Any strapping machine described in this application to which this configuration is applicable, including the strapping machine described in Appendix 5B2.

[0253] (Appendix 5B4) In a top view, a first angle formed by a normal to the first rear end surface at a first contact point of the slider that abuts on the first surface and a line connecting the first contact point and the rotation axis is closer to 90 degrees than a second angle formed by a normal to the second rear end surface at a second contact point of the slider that abuts on the second surface and a line connecting the second contact point and the rotation axis. Any of the strapping machines described in this application to which this configuration is applicable, including the strapping machine described in Appendix 5B2 or Appendix 5B3.

[0254] (Appendix 5B5) The second displacement portion is provided inside the second leg of the staple moved forward by the driver, and includes a wall portion against which a tip end of the second leg that is displaced inward of the staple by rotation of the second arm passes while coming into contact. Any binding machine described in the present application to which this configuration is applicable, including the binding machine described in any one of Supplementary Note 5 to Supplementary Note 5B4.

[0255] (Appendix 5B6) A period during which the tip end portion of the second leg portion of the staple and the wall portion are in contact with each other and a period during which the first surface of the second front end portion of the slider and the first rear end surface of the second arm are in contact with each other are configured to overlap at least partially. Any strapping machine described in this application to which this configuration is applicable, including the strapping machine described in Appendix 5B5.

[0256] (Appendix 5B7) After a period during which the tip portion of the second leg portion of the staple and the wall portion are in contact with each other, the second surface of the second front end portion of the slider and the second rear end surface of the second arm start to contact each other. Any of the strapping machines described in this application to which this configuration is applicable, including the strapping machines described in Appendix 5B5 or Appendix 5B6.

[0257] (Appendix 5B8) the second front end of the slider includes a third surface that is located forward of the first surface and the second surface and faces rearward, The second arm is configured to rotate in a second rotation direction opposite to a first rotation direction in which the second arm is rotated by the slider moving forward when the second arm is pushed by the third surface of the slider moving backward. Any binding machine described in the present application to which this configuration is applicable, including the binding machine described in Appendix 5B2 or any one of Appendix 5B3 to Appendix 5B7 that cites Appendix 5B2.

[0258] (Appendix 5B9) The second arm is a main body portion that abuts against the second leg portion of the staple when rotated in a first rotation direction by the slider moving forward, thereby displacing the second leg portion in the first rotation direction; a protrusion that is provided at a position further advanced than the main body in the first rotation direction, and that protrudes downward to come into contact with the second leg portion of the staple and displace the second leg portion in the second rotation direction when the main body is rotated in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction by the slider moving rearward; Any binding machine described in the present application to which this configuration is applicable, including the binding machine described in any one of Supplementary Note 5 and Supplementary Note 5B1 to Supplementary Note 5B8.

[0259] (Appendix 5C1) Any of the binding machines described in this application to which this configuration is applicable, including the binding machine described in Appendix 5, in which the first front end of the slider includes a first convex portion that protrudes upward to rotate the first arm in a first rotational direction by abutting against the first arm as it moves forward.

[0260] (Appendix 5C2) Any of the binding machines described in this application to which this configuration is applicable, including the binding machine described in Appendix 5C1, in which the first front end of the slider includes a second convex portion that moves rearward and abuts against the first arm, thereby rotating the first arm in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction.

[0261] (Appendix 5C3) Any of the binding machines described in this application to which this configuration is applicable, including the binding machine described in Appendix 5C2, in which the first arm includes a portion that rotates in the first rotation direction by abutting against the first convex portion moving forward, and moves so as to penetrate the area between the first convex portion and the second convex portion.

[0262] (Appendix 5C4) The first displacement portion includes a contact member that advances toward the inside of the staple by rotation of the first arm in the first rotation direction. Any binding machine described in the present application to which this configuration is applicable, including the binding machine described in any one of Appendix 5 and Appendix 5C1 to Appendix 5C3.

[0263] (Appendix 5C5) The contact member moves downward and in a direction approaching the second arm due to the rotation of the first arm in the first rotation direction. Any binding machine described in the present application to which this configuration is applicable, including the binding machine described in any one of Appendix 5 and Appendix 5C1 to Appendix 5C4. [Explanation of symbols]

[0264] 10 Binding machine 12 Grip 14 Magazine 16 Pusher 18 Separation Block 20 First displacement section 22 First Arm 22AX First arm rotation axis 22C convex part 24 Contact member (claw member) 24A Recess 24B Contact surface 24C Corner 30 Second displacement section 32 Second Arm 32AX Second arm rotation axis 32B Rear end 32B1 1st rear end surface 32B2 2nd rear end surface 32C Tip 32C1 Main body 32C2 protrusion 42 Drivers 42S front end surface 42B Tip 42C Driver protrusion 42G1 1st groove 42G2 2nd groove 42G3 3rd groove 44 Slider 44A1 First front end 44A11 First convex part 44A12 Second convex part 44A13 Tip 44A2 2nd front end 44A21 1st surface 44A22 2nd surface 44A23 3rd surface 44B Fixed part 46 base 46A1 1st protrusion 46A2 2nd protrusion 46A3 3rd protrusion 48 Switching Block 48C1 1st claw part 48C2 2nd claw part 48C3 Third claw 50 ball screw 50AX center axis 52 Nut parts 52A Holding part 54 Motor 62 1st outer wall section 62A 1st area 62B 2nd area 64 First inner wall 66 Second inner wall 68 Tip support part 68A Support wall section 230 Guide holding mechanism S staple S1 1st leg S1A tip S1B Part 1 α1 Bending angle DS1 First distance S2 2nd leg S2A tip DS2 Second distance S3 main body G. First Object P Second object PL plane X1 forward X2 rear Y1 right Y2 Left Above Z1 Below Z2 D1 opening direction R1 Chapter 1 direction R2 Chapter 2 direction

Claims

1. A binding machine that binds a first object and a second object using a staple including a first leg portion, a second leg portion, and a main body portion that connects the first leg portion and the second leg portion, and in which an opening is formed between the first leg portion and the second leg portion, a first displacement portion that displaces the first leg portion so as to be engageable with the first object; a second displacement unit that surrounds the second object with the first leg, the second leg, and the main body and displaces the second leg so as to be engageable with the first object; Equipped with The first displacement section clamps the first object by bending the tip of the first leg section so that it intersects with the first leg section in a top view.

2. The second displacement portion is configured to be able to displace the second leg portion to a position where the second displacement portion intersects with the first leg portion in a top view. The binding machine according to claim 1 .

3. a first insertion portion into which the first object is inserted; a second insertion portion into which the second object is inserted; Equipped with the first displacement portion displaces a tip end portion of the first leg portion so as to engage with the first object inserted into the first insertion portion; The second displacement unit displaces the second leg unit so as to surround the second object inserted into the second insertion unit. The binding machine according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a moving unit that moves the staple in an opening direction of the staple, The second displacement portion displaces the second leg portion inward of the staple as the moving portion moves in the opening direction. The binding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Further comprising a second inner wall portion that supports the second leg portion from the inside, The second displacement portion includes an arm that is provided on the outer side of the second leg portion and that bends the second leg portion toward the inside of the staple with the front end of the second inner wall portion as a fulcrum when the moving portion that moves in the opening direction abuts against and rotates. The binding machine according to claim 4.

6. the arm is configured to rotate in a first rotation direction by being pushed by a front end of the moving part moving forward, The arm has a rotation axis that is inclined so that the front end of the arm moves upward as it rotates in the first rotation direction. The binding machine according to claim 5.

7. the arm includes a rear end portion that extends rearward from a rotation axis of the arm in a state before rotation, The rear end of the arm is a first rear end surface that abuts against a first surface of the front end of the moving portion that moves forward; a second rear end surface formed forward of the first surface, the second surface of the front end of the moving portion that moves further forward being in contact with the second rear end surface; The strapping machine of claim 6, comprising:

8. The first displacement portion folds back the tip end of the first leg portion so as to sandwich the first object.

8. The binding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. the first displacement portion includes a first outer wall portion against which the tip end portion of the first leg portion passes while coming into contact when the staple is moved forward by the moving portion, 8. The binding machine according to any one of claims 4 to 7.

10. The arm further includes a wall portion that is provided on the inside of the second leg portion of the staple and against which the tip portion of the second leg portion that is displaced inward of the staple by the rotation of the arm passes while coming into contact. The binding machine according to claim 7.

11. The first displacement portion includes a contact member that bends the tip end of the first leg portion so as to pass above or below the first leg portion.

10. The binding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. a first leg portion, a second leg portion, and a main body portion connecting the first leg portion and the second leg portion; A binding method for binding a first object and a second object using a staple having an opening formed between the first leg portion and the second leg portion, comprising: the tip end of the first leg portion is bent so as to intersect with the first leg portion in a top view, thereby sandwiching the first object; The second leg is displaced to surround the second object with the first leg, the second leg, and the main body, thereby engaging the first object with the second leg. Binding method.

13. displacing the first leg to engage the first leg with the first object includes moving a tip end of the first leg either upward or downward away from a plane passing through the first leg, the second leg, and the main body; Displacing the second leg to surround the second object with the first leg, the second leg, and the main body to engage the first object with the second leg includes moving the tip of the second leg either upward or downward away from the plane. The bundling method according to claim 12.

14. displacing the first leg to engage with the first object includes displacing a portion of the first leg from a tip end thereof by a first distance or less to engage with the first object, Displacing the second leg to engage the first object includes displacing a portion of the second leg from the tip end thereof by a second distance greater than the first distance to engage the second leg with the first object.

14. The bundling method according to claim 12 or 13.

15. Displacing the second leg to surround the second object with the first leg, the second leg, and the main body to engage the first object with the second leg, displacing the second leg in a first rotation direction to a position where the second leg intersects with the first leg in a top view, and causing a tip end of the second leg to pass through a gap between the first object and the second object; displacing the second leg in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, and engaging the tip of the second leg, which has passed through the gap between the first object and the second object, with the first object.

15. A bundling method according to any one of claims 12 to 14.

16. In a top view, displacing the second leg in the first rotation direction to a position where the second leg intersects with the first leg and causing the tip end of the second leg to pass through the gap between the first object and the second object includes bending the second leg in the first rotation direction while bending the tip end of the second leg in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction. The bundling method according to claim 15.

17. 17. The binding method of claim 15 or 16, wherein displacing the first leg to engage the first object includes bending the tip of the first leg in the first rotation direction to engage the tip of the first leg with the first object.

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