stapler

Abstract

To provide a stapler allowing an outer shape of a clincher to be down-sized.SOLUTION: An electric stapler is provided with: a shaft part 511; a pair of a first clincher 510 and a second clincher 520 not only having a stapler abutting part 512 positioned at a tip side further than that of the shaft part 511 and a spring abutting part 513 positioned at a base end side further than that of the shaft part 511 but rotatably configured around the shaft part 511 as a fulcrum to rotate the staple abutting part 512 and the spring abutting part 513 to directions opposite to each other through its rotation; a separating plate 530 placed between the first clincher 510 and the second clincher 520 to separate the first clincher 510 and the second clincher 520; and a first leaf spring 540 of which one end side is fixed on the separating plate 530 and of which the other end side is allowed to abut to the spring abutting part 513.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5A

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to a stapler.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an electric stapler is known that automatically performs stapling by driving staples into a stack of sheets with a driver mechanism and bending the legs of the staples penetrating the stack of sheets with a clincher portion. The electric stapler is mounted, for example, inside an image forming apparatus that prints an image on sheets or inside a post-processing apparatus that executes post-processing.

[0003] In recent years, miniaturization of image forming apparatuses and post-processing apparatuses has been demanded. Along with this, miniaturization of the electric stapler mounted inside the post-processing apparatus has been demanded. In particular, the height dimension of the electric stapler is one of the factors that determines the paper conveyance path inside the post-processing apparatus.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a clincher structure including two anvil members that abut against the legs of a staple and a drive member that is vertically displaced to rotate the anvil members.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in the clincher structure described in Patent Document 1, since the anvil member is disposed above the drive member, the height dimension of the clincher increases. In such a case, when adopting a paper conveyance path that passes outside the clincher structure, the position (in the height direction) of the paper conveyance path is determined according to the height dimension of the clincher, so there is a problem that the image forming apparatus and the post-processing apparatus become large-sized.

[0007] Therefore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a stapler that can miniaturize the clincher structure in order to solve the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The stapler according to this disclosure comprises a shaft portion, a staple contact portion located towards the tip of the shaft portion, and a spring contact portion located towards the base of the shaft portion, and a pair of clinchers configured to be rotatable around the shaft portion as a pivot point, such that the staple contact portion and the spring contact portion rotate in opposite directions upon rotation, a partition plate interposed between the pair of clinchers to separate one clincher from the other, and an elastic member having one end fixed to the partition plate and the other end capable of contacting the spring contact portion. The elastic member is a leaf spring, and when the clincher rotates by a predetermined angle or more around the shaft as a pivot point, it comes into contact with the spring contact portion. ru. In other words, a stapler has a clincher in which the staple contact part, the shaft part, and the spring contact part are arranged in that order. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, a staple contact portion is provided on the tip side of the clincher and a spring contact portion is provided on the base side, so the clincher portion can be made smaller. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a front perspective view of the electric stapler according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a rear perspective view of the electric stapler according to this embodiment. [Figure 3A] This is a perspective view showing the clincher portion according to this embodiment. [Figure 3B] This is a plan view of the clincher section according to this embodiment. [Figure 3C] This is a bottom view of the clincher section according to this embodiment. [Figure 4A] This is a cross-sectional view of the clincher portion shown along line A-A' in Figure 3B, relating to this embodiment. [Figure 4B] It is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the clincher section shown in FIG. 4A according to this embodiment. [Figure 5A] It is a front perspective view of the clincher section with the case removed according to this embodiment. [Figure 5B] It is a rear perspective view of the clincher section with the case removed according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view showing the partition plate of the clincher section according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view showing the case of the clincher section according to this embodiment. [Figure 8A] A diagram showing an example of the operation of the electric stapler when the table according to this embodiment is in the home position, [Figure 8B] It is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the clincher section when the table according to this embodiment is in the home position. [Figure 9A] It is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the electric stapler when performing the clamping process according to this embodiment. [Figure 9B] It is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the clincher section when performing the clamping process according to this embodiment. [Figure 10A] It is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the electric stapler when performing the penetration process according to this embodiment. [Figure 10B] It is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the clincher section when performing the penetration process according to this embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] [Example Configuration of Electric Stapler 1] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the electric stapler 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the electric stapler 1 according to this embodiment

[0013] The electric stapler 1 according to this embodiment is mounted, for example, inside an image forming apparatus that forms a predetermined image on a sheet, or inside a post-processing apparatus connected to the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction of the image forming apparatus. The electric stapler 1 performs a stapling process on a stack of sheets on which a predetermined image has been formed by the image forming apparatus using staples. Specifically, the electric stapler 1 sequentially executes a clamping process of clamping (holding) the stack of sheets, a penetrating process of passing the staples through the clamped stack of sheets, and a clinching process of bending the legs of the staples that have passed through the stack of sheets, thereby performing a stapling process on the stack of sheets.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electric stapler 1 includes a cartridge 20 in which staples are accommodated, a stapler main body 10 to which the cartridge 20 is detachably attached, and a lever 60 provided so as to be displaceable with respect to the stapler main body 10. Further, the electric stapler 1 includes a driver mechanism 30 that drives the staples toward the stack of sheets, a table 40 that can move up and down with respect to the driver mechanism 30, and a clincher portion 50 that bends the legs of the staples that have been driven out by the driver mechanism 30 and passed through the sheets.

[0015] In this embodiment, the side where the driver mechanism 30 is provided is defined as the front side of the electric stapler 1, and the side where the lever 60 is provided is defined as the rear side of the electric stapler 1. Also, the side where the table 40 and the clincher portion 50 are provided is defined as the upper side of the electric stapler 1, and the opposite side is defined as the lower side.

[0016] At a position above the driver mechanism 30 of the stapler main body 10 and facing the table 40, a mounting table 70 on which the stack of sheets is placed is provided. The driver mechanism 30 is disposed on the front side in the stapler main body 10 and is configured to be movable up and down with respect to the mounting table 70 based on the drive of the drive mechanism 32. The driver mechanism 30 bends both ends of the staples by a forming plate (not shown) to form them into a substantially U shape, and drives the staples formed into a substantially U shape toward the stack of sheets.

[0017] Table 40 is positioned opposite the driver mechanism 30 and the mounting base 70. Table 40 is connected to the drive mechanism 32 via the frame 12 and is configured to move toward and away from the mounting base 70 based on the drive of the drive mechanism 32. The surface (part) of table 40 that faces the mounting base 70 functions as a clamping section 80 that clamps the paper stack between itself and the mounting base 70. Table 40 and the clamping section 80 are configured to move between a clamping position where the paper stack is clamped and a home position where the paper stack is not clamped.

[0018] The clincher section 50 is located at the front end of the table 40, opposite the driver mechanism 30. The clincher section 50 works in cooperation with the driver mechanism 30 to staple the stack of paper by pressing and bending the legs of the staples that have penetrated the stack inward. The configuration of the clincher section 50 will be described later.

[0019] The cartridge 20 is detachably attached to a mounting section 110 located at the rear of the stapler body 10. Inside the cartridge 20 is a refill 300 containing sheet-shaped connecting staples. The connecting staples inside the refill 300 are transported to the forming position by a feeding mechanism (not shown) of the driver mechanism 30.

[0020] [Example of clincher section 50 configuration] Next, the configuration of the clincher section 50 will be explained in detail. Figure 3A is a perspective view showing the clincher section 50 according to this embodiment, Figure 3B is a plan view of the clincher section 50, and Figure 3C is a bottom view of the clincher section 50. Figure 4A is a cross-sectional view of the clincher section 50 along line A-A' shown in Figure 3B, and Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view of the main part of Figure 4A. Figure 5A is a front perspective view of the clincher section 50 with the case 550 removed, and Figure 5B is a rear perspective view of the clincher section 50 with the case 550 removed. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the partition plate 530 of the clincher section 50. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the case 550 of the clincher section 50.

[0021] As shown in Figures 3A and 5A, the clincher section 50 comprises a pair of first clinchers 510 and second clinchers 520, a partition plate 530 separating the first clincher 510 and the second clincher 520, a first leaf spring 540 capable of biasing the first clincher 510, a second leaf spring 542 capable of biasing the second clincher 520, and a case 550 housing these components.

[0022] The first clincher 510 has an elongated flat plate shape and is positioned to overlap the front surface of the partition plate 530 in a planar manner. The first clincher 510 has a shaft portion 511 provided on the base end side of the first clincher 510, a staple contact portion 512 located on the tip side of the shaft portion 511, a spring contact portion 513 located on the base end side of the shaft portion 511, and a pressed portion 514 that protrudes upward from the tip of the first clincher 510.

[0023] As shown in Figure 5A, the shaft portion 511 has an axial hole that penetrates the first clincher 510 in the thickness direction. The first support shaft 551, formed on the inner surface of the front wall 550a of the case 550, engages with the shaft portion 511. As a result, the first clincher 510 is supported so as to be rotatable around the first support shaft 551, and when the first clincher 510 rotates with the shaft portion 511 as the pivot point, the staple contact portion 512 and the spring contact portion 513 rotate in opposite directions.

[0024] The staple contact portion 512 is formed from a part of the lower surface of the first clincher 510 and receives and bends one leg of the staple that has penetrated the stack of paper. The staple contact portion 512 moves to an open position that is inclined diagonally upward during the clamping and penetration processes, and moves to a closed position that is approximately horizontal along the longitudinal direction of the partition plate 530 during the clinching process and in the home position.

[0025] The spring contact portion 513 protrudes outward from the base end of the first clincher 510. The spring contact portion 513 can contact the lower surface of the first leaf spring 540, and when it contacts the first leaf spring 540 during the clamping process, it is biased downward, causing the opposite staple contact portion 512 to move upward. The spring contact portion 513 also functions as a stopper that restricts the rotation of the first clincher 510 by contacting the back surface of the clamp portion 80 when the staple contact portion 512 of the first clincher 510 is pushed up by the legs of the staples and the first clincher 510 rotates. In this embodiment, the upper surface of the spring contact portion 513 contacts the lower surface of the first leaf spring 540, and the lower surface of the spring contact portion 513 contacts the back surface of the clamp portion 80.

[0026] The second clincher 520 has an elongated flat plate shape and is arranged symmetrically with respect to the tip side of the first clincher 510 and is positioned so as to overlap the rear surface of the partition plate 530 in a planar manner. The second clincher 520 has a shaft portion 521 provided on the base end side of the second clincher 520, a staple contact portion 522 located on the tip side of the shaft portion 521, a spring contact portion 523 located on the base end side of the shaft portion 521, and a pressed portion 524 that protrudes upward from the tip of the second clincher 520.

[0027] As shown in Figure 5B, the shaft portion 521 has an axial hole that penetrates the second clincher 520 in the thickness direction. The second support shaft 552, formed on the inner surface of the rear wall 550b of the case 550, engages with the shaft portion 521. This configures the second clincher 520 to be rotatable around the second support shaft 552. When the second clincher 520 rotates around the shaft portion 521 as a pivot point, the staple contact portion 522 and the spring contact portion 523 rotate in opposite directions.

[0028] The staple contact portion 522 is formed from a part of the lower surface of the second clincher 520 and receives and bends the other leg of the staple that has penetrated the stack of paper. The staple contact portion 522 moves to an open position that is inclined diagonally upward during the clamping and penetration processes, and moves to a closed position that is substantially horizontal along the longitudinal direction of the partition plate 530 during the clinching process and in the home position.

[0029] The spring contact portion 523 protrudes outward from the base end of the second clincher 520. The spring contact portion 523 can contact the lower surface of the second leaf spring 542, and when it contacts the second leaf spring 542 during the clamping process, it is biased downward, causing the opposite staple contact portion 522 to move upward. The spring contact portion 523 also functions as a stopper that restricts the rotation of the second clincher 520 by contacting the back surface of the clamp portion 80 when the staple contact portion 522 of the second clincher 520 is pushed up by the legs of the staples and the second clincher 520 rotates. In this embodiment, the upper surface of the spring contact portion 523 contacts the lower surface of the second leaf spring 542, and the lower surface of the spring contact portion 523 contacts the back surface of the clamp portion 80.

[0030] As shown in Figures 3A and 6, the partition plate 530 is made of an elongated flat plate that is longer than the first clincher 510, etc., and is interposed between the first clincher 510 and the second clincher 520. The partition plate 530 has a first pick-up section 535 that guides one leg of the staple that has passed through the stack of paper to the first clincher 510, and a second pick-up section 536 that guides the other leg of the staple that has passed through the stack of paper to the second clincher 520.

[0031] The first pick-up section 535 is the surface of the partition plate 530 facing the first clincher 510, and has an inclined surface that slopes upward from its lower end in a direction that gradually approaches the first clincher 510. The first pick-up section 535 is located above one leg of the staple that penetrates the stack of paper, and guides one leg of the staple that has penetrated the stack of paper rising from below to the staple contact section 512 of the first clincher 510 by receiving it with the inclined surface and sliding it. During the clamping process, the position P1 of the upper end of the inclined surface of the first pick-up section 535 is located below (in front of) the position P2 of the staple contact section 512 of the first clincher 510, which is tilted by the biasing force of the first leaf spring 540, as shown in Figures 4A and 4B. This is because, if the first pick-up portion 535 is located below the staple contact portion 512 of the first clincher 510, and there is a gap between the first clincher 510 and the partition plate 530, one leg of the staple that has penetrated the stack of paper may get stuck in the gap and become unable to come out, potentially causing a binding defect. In this embodiment, since the staple is driven in from below upward, the position P1 of the upper end of the inclined surface of the first pick-up portion 535 is located below the position P2 of the staple contact portion 512. However, it is not limited to being below, and it is sufficient if it is on the front side in the direction in which the staple is driven.

[0032] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the second pick-up section 536 is the surface of the partition plate 530 facing the second clincher 520, and has an inclined surface that slopes upward from its lower end towards the second clincher 520. The second pick-up section 536 is located above the other leg that penetrates the stack of paper, and guides the other leg of the staple that penetrates the stack of paper rising from below to the staple contact portion 522 of the second clincher 520 by receiving it with the inclined surface and sliding it. During the clamping process, the position P1 of the upper end of the inclined surface of the second pick-up section 536 is located below (in front of) the position P2 of the staple contact portion 522 of the second clincher 520, which is inclined by the biasing force of the second leaf spring 542, similar to the first pick-up section 535. In this embodiment, since the staples are driven in from below upward, the position P1 of the upper end of the inclined surface of the second pick-up section 536 is located below the position P2 of the staple contact section 522. However, it is not limited to being below, and it is acceptable as long as it is on the front side in the direction in which the staples are driven in.

[0033] As shown in Figures 5A and 6, the first leaf spring 540 has one end fixed to the side wall 530a of one end of the partition plate 530, and the other end extends to a position where it can contact the spring contact portion 513 of the first clincher 510. In this embodiment, the first leaf spring 540 is integrally formed with the partition plate 530 by bending the lower end of the side wall 530a of one end of the partition plate 530 inward. The first leaf spring 540 may be made of a separate part from the partition plate 530. The first leaf spring 540 is elastically deformable, and when it comes into contact with the spring contact portion 513 of the first clincher 510, it biases the spring contact portion 513 downward. The first leaf spring 540 is an example of an elastic member.

[0034] As shown in Figures 5B and 6, the second leaf spring 542 has one end fixed to the other side wall 530b of the partition plate 530, and the other end extends to a position where it can contact the spring contact portion 523 of the second clincher 520. In this embodiment, the second leaf spring 542 is integrally formed with the partition plate 530 by bending the lower end of the other side wall 530b inward. The second leaf spring 542 may be made of a separate part from the partition plate 530. The second leaf spring 542 is elastically deformable, and when it comes into contact with the spring contact portion 523 of the second clincher 520, it biases the spring contact portion 523 downward. The second leaf spring 542 is an example of an elastic member.

[0035] As shown in Figures 3A, 4A, and 7, the case 550 has a substantially inverted U-shape in its side profile and covers the first clincher 510, the second clincher 520, and the partition plate 530. As shown in Figure 7, a first support shaft 551 is formed on the inner surface of the front wall 550a of the case 550 (the surface facing the partition plate 530) to rotatably support the first clincher 510. The first support shaft 551 protrudes from the inner surface of the front wall 550a and is engageable with the first support shaft 551 from the front side of the first clincher 510.

[0036] As shown in Figure 7, a second support shaft 552 is formed on the inner surface of the rear wall 550b of the case 550 (the surface facing the partition plate 530), which rotatably supports the second clincher 520. The second support shaft 552 protrudes from the inner surface of the rear wall 550b and can be engaged with the second support shaft 552 from the rear side of the second clincher 520.

[0037] An opening 550d is formed in the upper wall 550c of the case 550. A first clincher 510 and a second clincher 520 are positioned below the opening 550d. As a result, the pressed portion 514 of the first clincher 510 and the pressed portion 524 of the second clincher 520 can protrude from the opening 550d in accordance with the rotation of the first clincher 510 and the second clincher 520.

[0038] Furthermore, a third pick-up portion 555 is formed on the inner surface of the front wall 550a of the case 550, at a position opposite the first pick-up portion 535 of the first clincher 510, as shown in Figures 4B and 7. The third pick-up portion 555 has an inclined surface that slopes upward from the lower end of the case 550, gradually approaching the first clincher 510. The third pick-up portion 555 receives the tip of one leg of the paper stack that has passed through it from below, and guides the one leg of the staple to the staple contact portion 512 of the first clincher 510 by sliding it along the inclined surface. The upper end of the inclined surface of the third pick-up portion 555 is located below the position of the staple contact portion 512 of the first clincher 510 during the clamping process.

[0039] Furthermore, on the inner surface of the front wall 550a of the case 550, opposite the second pick-up portion 536 of the first clincher 510, a fourth pick-up portion 556 is formed, as shown in Figure 7. The fourth pick-up portion 556 has an inclined surface that slopes upward from the lower end of the case 550, gradually approaching the second clincher 520. The fourth pick-up portion 556 receives the tip of the other leg of the paper stack that has passed through it from below, and guides the other leg of the staple to the staple contact portion 522 of the second clincher 520 by sliding it along the inclined surface. The upper end of the inclined surface of the fourth pick-up portion 556 is located below the position of the staple contact portion 522 of the second clincher 520 during the clamping process, similar to the third pick-up portion 555.

[0040] According to this embodiment, on the first clincher 510 side, the first leaf spring 540, spring contact portion 513, shaft portion 511, staple contact portion 512, and pressed portion 514 are arranged in this order along the longitudinal direction of the first clincher 510 (partition plate 530). Furthermore, the first leaf spring 540, spring contact portion 513, shaft portion 511, and staple contact portion 512 are arranged in approximately a single line along the longitudinal direction of the partition plate 530. As a result, when the table 40 is in the home position, the first leaf spring 540, spring contact portion 513, shaft portion 511, staple contact portion 512, and pressed portion 514 can be arranged to fit within the height dimension of the partition plate 530, and a configuration can be achieved in which they do not protrude substantially from the upper wall 550c of the case 550. Similarly, on the second clincher 520 side, the second leaf spring 542, spring contact portion 523, shaft portion 521, staple contact portion 522, and pressed portion 524 are arranged in this order along the longitudinal direction of the second clincher 520 (partition plate 530). As a result, on the second clincher 520 side, the second leaf spring 542, spring contact portion 523, shaft portion 521, staple contact portion 522, and pressed portion 524 can be configured so that they do not protrude substantially from the upper wall 550c of the case 550.

[0041] [Example of operation of electric stapler 1] Next, an example of the operation of the electric stapler 1 according to this embodiment during the stapling process will be described. Figure 8A shows an example of the operation of the electric stapler 1 when the table 40 according to this embodiment is in the home position, and Figure 8B shows an example of the operation of the clincher unit 50 when the table 40 is in the home position. Figure 9A shows an example of the operation of the electric stapler 1 when performing the clamping process, and Figure 9B shows an example of the operation of the clincher unit 50 when performing the clamping process. Figure 10A shows an example of the operation of the electric stapler 1 when performing the through-passing process, and Figure 10B shows an example of the operation of the clincher unit 50 when performing the through-passing process.

[0042] As shown in Figures 8A and 8A, when the table 40 is in the home position, the pressed portion 514 of the first clincher 510 and the pressed portion 524 of the second clincher 520 are pressed downward by the clincher link 52. As a result, the spring contact portion 513 on the opposite side of the pressed portion 514 of the first clincher 510 moves upward. Consequently, the first leaf spring 540, which is in contact with the upper surface of the spring contact portion 513, is elastically deformed and bends as it is pushed up by the spring contact portion 513.

[0043] Similarly, the spring contact portion 523 on the side of the second clincher 520 opposite to the pressed portion 524 moves upward. Consequently, the second leaf spring 542, which is in contact with the upper surface of the spring contact portion 523, is elastically deformed and bends as it is pushed up by the spring contact portion 523.

[0044] Next, the clamping process is performed. Once multiple sheets of paper are placed on the mounting table 70, the drive mechanism 32 drives the table 40 down via the frame 12. As a result, the stack of paper placed on the mounting table 70 is clamped by the clamping section 80, as shown in Figures 9A and 9B. When the table 40 has lowered to the clamping position, the pressure from the clincher link 52 is released (the load is removed), and consequently, as shown in Figure 9B, the first leaf spring 540 returns to its original position, pushing down the spring contact portion 513 of the first clincher 510. As a result, the first clincher 510 rotates counterclockwise around the shaft portion 511 as a pivot point, causing the pressed portion 514 to move upward.

[0045] Similarly, when the pressure from the clincher link 52 is released, the second leaf spring 542 restores its deflection, pushing down the spring contact portion 523 of the second clincher 520. As a result, the second clincher 520 rotates clockwise around the shaft portion 521 as a pivot point, causing the pressed portion 524 to move upward. The first clincher 510 and the second clincher 520 each tilt diagonally upward toward the center of the partition plate 530 and open to each other. At this time, the staple contact portion 512 of the first clincher 510 is positioned above the first pick-up portion 535, etc., and the staple contact portion 522 of the second clincher 520 is positioned above the second pick-up portion 536, etc. In this way, the state of receiving the tips of the staple legs is completed.

[0046] Next, the penetration process is performed. When the driver mechanism 30 rises due to the drive mechanism 32, the forming plate (not shown) bends both ends of the staple to form a roughly U-shape, and the roughly U-shaped staple is driven towards the stack of paper. As a result, the staple rises toward the mounting table 70 along with the driver mechanism 30, and the legs of the staple penetrate the stack of paper on the mounting table 70.

[0047] As shown by the dashed line in Figure 9B, one leg of the staple S that has penetrated the stack of paper comes into contact with the first pick-up portion 535 of the partition plate 530 or the third pick-up portion 555 of the case 550 and slides along its inclined surface, guiding it toward the staple contact portion 512. As shown in Figures 10A and 10B, the leg of the staple S that has been guided toward the staple contact portion 512 collides with the staple contact portion 512, pushing it upward and causing the first clincher 510 to rotate counterclockwise around the shaft portion 511 as a pivot point.

[0048] Similarly, the other leg of the staple S that has penetrated the stack of paper is guided to the staple contact portion 522 by sliding along its inclined surface 525a after contacting the second pick-up portion 536 of the partition plate 530 or the fourth pick-up portion 556 of the case 550, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 9B. The leg of the staple guided to the staple contact portion 522 collides with the staple contact portion 522, as shown in Figures 10A and 10B, pushing up the staple contact portion 522 and causing the second clincher 520 to rotate clockwise around the shaft portion 521 as a pivot point. At this time, the clincher link 52 is also pushed up simultaneously by the pressed portion 514 of the rotating first clincher 510 and the pressed portion 524 of the second clincher 520.

[0049] Furthermore, when the first clincher 510 is pushed up, as shown in Figure 10B, the first clincher 510 rotates counterclockwise, causing the spring contact portion 513 to separate from the first leaf spring 540. As a result, the first leaf spring 540 becomes free and unloaded. When the first clincher 510 rotates further due to one leg of the staple moving upward, the spring contact portion 513 comes into contact with the back surface of the clamp portion 80, restricting (stopping) the rotation of the first clincher 510. In this embodiment, the upper surface of the spring contact portion 513 comes into contact with the lower surface of the first leaf spring 540, and the lower surface of the spring contact portion 513 comes into contact with the back surface of the clamp portion 80.

[0050] Similarly, when the second clincher 520 is pushed up, as shown in Figure 10B, the second clincher 520 rotates clockwise, causing the spring contact portion 523 to separate from the second leaf spring 542. This leaves the second leaf spring 542 in a free state without any load. At this point, if the second clincher 520 rotates further due to the other leg of the staple moving upward, the rotation of the second clincher 520 is restricted as the spring contact portion 523 comes into contact with the back surface of the clamp portion 80. In this embodiment, the upper surface of the spring contact portion 523 comes into contact with the lower surface of the second leaf spring 542, and the lower surface of the spring contact portion 523 comes into contact with the back surface of the clamp portion 80.

[0051] Next, the clinching process is performed. As the driver mechanism 30 rises further, the staple also rises accordingly. As a result, the upward rotation of the first clincher 510 is restricted, so one leg of the staple gently curves along the inclined staple contact portion 512 of the first clincher 510. Similarly, the other leg of the staple also gently curves along the inclined staple contact portion 522 of the second clincher 520, as its upward rotation of the second clincher 520 is also restricted.

[0052] Next, the clincher link 52, by a cam (not shown), presses the pressed portion 514 of the first clincher 510 and the pressed portion 524 of the second clincher 520. As a result, the first clincher 510 rotates clockwise around the shaft portion 511 as a pivot point, and the staple contact portion 512 of the first clincher 510 moves downward, pressing one of the curved legs of the staple and bending it inward. Similarly, the second clincher 520 rotates counterclockwise around the shaft 521 as a pivot point, and the staple contact portion 522 of the second clincher 520 moves downward, pressing against the other curved leg of the staple and bending it inward. In this way, both legs of the staple are bent inward, and the stack of papers is stapled together.

[0053] At this time, the spring contact portion 513 of the first clincher 510 moves upward, and the first leaf spring 540 is pushed up against the elastic force, causing it to elastically deform and bend. Similarly, the spring contact portion 523 of the second clincher 520 moves upward, and the second leaf spring 542 is pushed up against the elastic force, causing it to elastically deform and bend.

[0054] Next, the return process is performed. In the return process, the drive mechanism 32 drives the table 40 back to the home position via a frame (not shown), and the driver mechanism 30 also lowers back to the home position (see Figure A1). This opens the space between the table 40 and the mounting base 70, preparing the machine for binding the next stack of paper.

[0055] As described above, according to this embodiment, the first leaf spring 540 is fixed to the partition plate 530, and the first leaf spring 540, the spring contact portion 513 of the first clincher 510, the shaft portion 511, and the staple contact portion 512 are arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction of the partition plate 530. Therefore, when the table 40 is in the home position, the first leaf spring 540, the spring contact portion 513, the shaft portion 511, the staple contact portion 512, and the pressed portion 514 can be arranged to fit within the height dimension of the partition plate 530, and a configuration can be achieved in which it is substantially flush with the upper wall 550c of the case 550. Similarly, on the second clincher 520 side, the second leaf spring 542, spring contact portion 523, shaft portion 521, staple contact portion 522, and pressed portion 524 can be arranged to fit within the height dimension of the partition plate 530, and the configuration can be made such that it does not protrude almost from the upper wall 550c of the case 550. As a result, the height dimension of the clincher portion 50 can be reduced, and the clincher portion 50 can be made smaller. As a result, for example, in an image forming apparatus or post-processing apparatus, the paper transport path can be set at a lower position, so the overall size of the apparatus can be reduced.

[0056] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, during the clamping process, the upper end position P1 of the inclined surface of the first pick-up section 535 and the upper end position P1 of the inclined surface of the third pick-up section 555 are positioned below the position P2 of the staple contact section 512 of the first clincher 510. This ensures that the legs of the staples that have penetrated the stack of paper are reliably guided to the staple contact section 512 of the first clincher 510. This prevents the occurrence of binding defects, such as staples getting stuck in the gap between the first clincher 510 and the partition plate 530 or case 550, preventing the binding process from being completed. Similar effects can be achieved with the second pick-up section 536 and the fourth pick-up section 556.

[0057] While preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the attached drawings, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear to any person with ordinary skill in the art of the present disclosure that various modifications or alterations may be conceived within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, and these will naturally also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0058] For example, in the embodiment described above, an example was described in which a first leaf spring 540 and a second leaf spring 542 were used as elastic members to bias the first clincher 510 and the second clincher 520 to a position that receives the legs of the staples, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, torsion coil springs may be attached to the shaft portions 511 and 521 to adjust the positions of the first clincher 510 and the second clincher 520. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 1 Electric stapler 50 Clincher Section 510 First clincher (clincher) 511 Shaft 512 Staple contact area 513 Spring contact section 520 Second clincher (other clincher) 521 Shaft 522 Staple contact area 523 Spring contact section 530 Partition Plate 535 First Collection Section 536 Second Collection Section 540 First leaf spring (elastic member) 542 Second leaf spring (elastic member) 550 cases 555 Third Collection Section 556 Fourth Collection Section

Claims

1. A pair of clinchers having a shaft portion, a staple contact portion located towards the tip of the shaft portion, and a spring contact portion located towards the base of the shaft portion, and configured to be rotatable around the shaft portion as a pivot point, such that the staple contact portion and the spring contact portion rotate in opposite directions upon rotation, A partition plate interposed between the pair of clinchers, separating one clincher from the other clincher, An elastic member having one end fixed to the partition plate and the other end capable of contacting the spring contact portion, Equipped with, The elastic member is a leaf spring, and when the clincher rotates by a predetermined angle or more around the shaft as a pivot point, it comes into contact with the spring contact portion. Stapler.

2. The elastic member, the spring contact portion, the shaft portion, and the staple contact portion are arranged in order along the longitudinal direction of the partition plate. The stapler according to claim 1.

3. The partition plate has a pick-up portion that guides the legs of the staples to the staple contact portion, The pick-up portion is located in front of the staple contact portion when the clincher is in the position rotated by the predetermined angle. The stapler according to claim 2.

4. The clincher comprises a case that surrounds the outside of the clincher, The case has a pick-up section that guides the legs of the staples to the staple contact section, The pick-up portion is positioned in front of the staple contact portion of the clincher when the clincher is rotated to the predetermined angle. The stapler according to claim 2.

5. The leaf spring is formed integrally with the partition plate. The stapler according to claim 3.

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