Cartridges and staplers

Abstract

To provide a cartridge and a stapler capable of realizing various operability upon removal of the cartridge from a stapler body.SOLUTION: A cartridge 20 is the cartridge 20 loading in a stapler, being provided with: a cartridge body 200 in which the stapler is received; a lever 60 attached displacably on the cartridge body 200; and a fixed shaft 220 for fixing the cartridge 20 on the stapler when loaded in the stapler, wherein the fixed shaft 220 is positioned at a first position when the cartridge 20 is fixed in the stapler and positioned at a second position when released, and the lever 60 has a moving part 603 making the fixed shaft 220 move to the second position when being displaced to the first direction and the second direction relative to the cartridge body 200.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cartridge loaded in a stapler and a stapler.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an electric stapler that automatically performs binding processing by driving staples into a sheet bundle with a driver mechanism and bending the legs of the staple that have penetrated the sheet bundle with a clincher portion has been known. The electric stapler is mounted, for example, in an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet or in a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing.

[0003] A cartridge that accommodates a refill loaded with a plurality of staples is detachably attached to a stapler body. A plurality of methods are employed as methods for removing the cartridge from the stapler body. For example, there are a type in which the cartridge is removed from the stapler body by hooking a finger on the knob of the cartridge and rotating the knob in a predetermined direction, and a type in which the cartridge is removed from the stapler body by gripping the knob of the cartridge and pulling it rearward.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a stapler in which an operation portion is rotatably attached to an upper surface of a cartridge body via a link member, and the cartridge is taken out from the stapler body by rotating the operation portion.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in the conventional type of cartridge described in Patent Document 1, where the knob is rotated, the cartridge cannot be removed by grasping the knob and pulling it backward. Also, in the type of cartridge where the knob is grasped and pulled out, the cartridge cannot be removed by rotating the knob. Operating the cartridge knob in a direction other than the intended direction of operation not only prevents the cartridge from being removed, but also risks dropping the cartridge or damaging it.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a cartridge and stapler that enable diverse operability when removing the cartridge from the stapler body, in order to solve the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The cartridge according to this disclosure is a cartridge loaded into a stapler, comprising: a cartridge body containing staples; a lever displaceably attached to the cartridge body; and a fixing part for fixing the cartridge to the stapler when loaded into the stapler, wherein the fixing part is in a first position when the cartridge is fixed to the stapler and in a second position when the fixing is released, and the lever is The lever body includes a tip portion, a base portion, and a movable portion provided between the tip portion and the base portion, and a knob protruding rearward from the base portion, the lever body having a first pivot point located closer to the base portion than the movable portion, and a second pivot point located closer to the tip portion than the movable portion, the movable portion movably supports the fixed portion and has an inclined surface that slopes diagonally upward from the base portion toward the tip portion, and the knob pivots on the first pivot point With respect to the cartridge body downward to Rotation When, and The knob moves upward with the second pivot point as the pivot point. to Rotation When, Supported on the aforementioned inclined surface Move the fixing part to the second position. ru .

[0009] The stapler according to this disclosure comprises a main body having a loading section into which a cartridge is loaded, and a fixing section for fixing the cartridge loaded into the loading section within the loading section, and a lever displaceably attached to the main body, wherein the fixing section has a projection that is in a first position when the cartridge is fixed to the loading section and in a second position when the cartridge is released, and the lever is The lever body includes a tip portion, a base portion, and a movable portion provided between the tip portion and the base portion, and a knob protruding rearward from the base portion, the lever body having a first pivot point located closer to the base portion than the movable portion, and a second pivot point located closer to the tip portion than the movable portion, the movable portion movably supports the fixed portion and has an inclined surface that slopes diagonally upward from the base portion toward the tip portion, and the knob pivots on the first pivot point With respect to the aforementioned body downward to Rotation When, and The knob moves upward with the second pivot point as the pivot point. to Rotation When, Supported on the aforementioned inclined surface Move the protrusion from the first position to the second position ru . [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to this disclosure, the cartridge can be removed from the stapler by displacing the lever in a first or second direction, thereby enabling diverse operability. This prevents accidental operation when removing the cartridge from the stapler. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [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 3] This is a perspective view showing the state in which the cartridge has been removed from the stapler body of the electric stapler according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a left side view of the electric stapler according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the inside of the cartridge according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a left side view showing the inside of the cartridge according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows the state in which the cartridge is fixed to the mounting part of the stapler body according to this embodiment. [Figure 8]It is an operation diagram of the electric stapler when the lever according to the present embodiment is rotated in a first direction to take out the cartridge from the stapler main body. [Figure 9] It is an operation diagram of the electric stapler when the lever according to the present embodiment is rotated in a second direction to take out the cartridge from the stapler main body. [Figure 10] is an operation diagram of the electric stapler when the cartridge is taken out from the stapler main body by pulling the lever according to the present embodiment in a third direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] [Configuration Example of Electric Stapler 1] The electric stapler 1 according to the present embodiment is mounted, for example, in an image forming apparatus that forms a predetermined image on a sheet, or in a post-processing apparatus connected to the downstream side of the image forming apparatus in the sheet conveyance direction. The electric stapler 1 performs a binding process using staples on a sheet bundle including a plurality of sheets on which a predetermined image is formed by the image forming apparatus. Specifically, the electric stapler 1 sequentially executes: a clamping step of clamping (nipping) the sheet bundle; a penetrating step of causing staples to penetrate the clamped sheet bundle; and a clinching step of bending the leg portions of the staple that have penetrated through the sheet bundle, to perform the binding process on the sheet bundle.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the electric stapler 1 includes a cartridge 20 that accommodates staples, a stapler main body 10 to which the cartridge 20 is detachably attached, and a lever 60 provided displaceably with respect to the stapler main body 10. The electric stapler 1 further includes a driver mechanism 30 that drives staples out toward the sheet bundle, a table 40 that can move up and down relative to the driver mechanism 30, and a clincher portion 50 that bends the leg portions of the staple driven out by the driver mechanism 30 and having penetrated the sheet.

[0015] In this embodiment, the side on which the driver mechanism 30 is provided is the front side of the electric stapler 1, and the side on which the lever 60 is provided is the rear side of the electric stapler 1. The side on which the table 40 and clincher section 50 are provided is the upper side of the electric stapler 1, and the opposite side is the lower side. In this embodiment, the first direction D1, which is the displacement direction of the lever 60, is the direction of gravity when the electric stapler 1 is placed on the floor, and corresponds to downward relative to the cartridge 20. The second direction D2, which is the displacement direction of the lever 60, is the opposite direction to the direction of gravity, and corresponds to upward relative to the cartridge 20. The third direction D3, which is the displacement direction of the lever 60, is the opposite direction to the loading direction D4 of the cartridge 20 into the stapler body 10, when the direction perpendicular to the first direction D1 is defined as the loading direction D4, and corresponds to the rear side of the electric stapler 1.

[0016] A mounting base 70 on which a stack of paper is placed is provided above the driver mechanism 30 of the stapler body 10, and opposite the table 40. The driver mechanism 30 is located on the front side of the stapler body 10 and is configured to move up and down relative to the mounting base 70 based on the drive of the drive mechanism 32. The driver mechanism 30 bends both ends of the staples into a roughly U-shape using a forming plate (not shown) and then drives the roughly U-shaped staples toward the stack of paper.

[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 the legs of the staples that have passed through the stack inward and bending them.

[0019] The cartridge 20 is detachably attached to the loading section 110 located at the rear of the stapler body 10 by sliding it in from the rear. Inside the cartridge 20 is a refill 300 containing sheet-like connecting staples. The refill 300 is configured to be attached to the cartridge by sliding it in from the rear of the cartridge 20. 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 configuration of stapler body 10) Next, we will explain the stapler body 10 in detail. As shown in Figure 3, the stapler body 10 has a loading section 110 into which the cartridge 20 is loaded, and an engaging section 120 that engages with and fixes the cartridge 20 loaded in the loading section 110 within the loading section 110.

[0021] As shown in Figure 3, the loading section 110 is located on the upper side of the stapler body 10 and has a space large enough to accommodate the cartridge 20. An insertion / removal opening 112 is formed in the rear wall of the stapler body 10, allowing the cartridge 20 to be inserted into and removed from the space of the loading section 110. In this embodiment, the cartridge 20 can be loaded into the loading section 110 from the rear side of the stapler body 10 via the insertion / removal opening 112.

[0022] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the engaging portion 120 is formed at two locations on the upper part of the loading portion 110, one end and the other end in the left-right direction, and is positioned opposite the movable portion 603 of the cartridge 20 loaded into the loading portion 110, which will be described later. As shown in Figure 4, the engaging portion 120 has a stepped portion 121 and an inclined surface 122 that slopes diagonally downward toward the rear from the upper end of the stepped portion 121. The stepped portion 121 has a flat surface 121a and a substantially vertical surface 121b that rises from the flat surface 121a. The height of the vertical surface 121b of the stepped portion 121 is preferably at least the radius of the fixed shaft 220, for example, in order to prevent the fixed shaft 220, which will be described later, from coming off the engaging portion 120 to the rear. As a result, when the cartridge 20 is loaded into the stapler body 10, the fixed shaft 220 of the cartridge 20 catches (engages) with the stepped portion 121, restricting the movement of the fixed shaft 220 backward and locking the cartridge 20 into the stapler body 10.

[0023] (Example configuration of cartridge 20) Next, we will explain cartridge 20 in detail. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the cartridge 20 comprises a cartridge body 200, a refill storage section 210 for accommodating refills, a lever 60 displaceably attached to the cartridge body 200, a fixing shaft 220 for fixing the cartridge 20 to the stapler body 10 when loaded into the stapler body 10, a torsion coil spring 250 for biasing the fixing shaft 220 to a position where it engages with and is fixed to the engagement section 120, and a discharge section 260 for discharging staples.

[0024] As shown in the figure, the refill storage section 210 is provided inside the cartridge body 200 and has a space large enough to accommodate the refill 300. An insertion / removal opening 212 (see Figure 3) is formed in the rear wall of the cartridge body 200, allowing the refill 300 to be inserted into and removed from the space of the refill storage section 210. In this embodiment, the refill 300 can be loaded into the refill storage section 210 from the rear side of the cartridge body 200 via the insertion / removal opening 212.

[0025] Here, the refill 300 is composed of a box-shaped body capable of housing connecting staples, which are made up of linear staples connected together. A large number of connecting staples are stacked inside the refill 300. The refill 300 has a lid member 310 for holding down the uppermost connecting staples among the stacked connecting staples inside. The lid member 310 is configured to move up and down inside the refill 300 depending on the increase or decrease in the number of connecting staples inside the refill 300.

[0026] The fixed shaft 220 is an example of a projection and a fixed part, and as shown in Figures 5 and 6, it is located above the refill housing 210 and at the rear of the cartridge body 200. In this embodiment, a round bar is used for the projection, but it is not limited to this. The projection may be made of a triangular or square-shaped projection. The fixed shaft 220 is also positioned so that its longitudinal direction is aligned with the left-right direction of the cartridge body 200. A torsion coil spring 250 is attached to approximately the center of the fixed shaft 220. The left end (one end) of the fixed shaft 220 is inserted into a vertically elongated hole (hereinafter referred to as the elongated hole) provided in the left side wall connected to the upper wall 202 of the cartridge body 200. The left end of the fixed shaft 220 inserted into the elongated hole is movably inserted into one of the lever bodies 600 (extension part 600a, described later) that constitutes the lever 60, and protrudes further outward. The right end of the fixed shaft 220 is inserted into a vertically elongated slot provided in the right side wall of the cartridge body 200, which is connected to the upper wall 202. The right end of the fixed shaft 220, inserted into the slot, is movably inserted into the other lever body 600 (extension portion 600b, described later) that constitutes the lever 60, and protrudes further outward.

[0027] As shown in Figure 5, the torsion coil spring 250 has a coil section 251, a fixed arm 252 extending from one end of the coil section 251 toward the front of the refill storage section 210, and a load arm 253 extending from the other end of the coil section 251 toward the front of the refill storage section 210. The torsion coil spring 250 is an example of an elastic member. In this embodiment, a torsion coil spring is used, but the elastic member may be made of a leaf spring or a rubber member. The fixed arm 252 is located above the load arm 253. In this embodiment, a torsion coil spring 250 having two coil sections 251 is used, and the fixed shaft 220 is arranged to pass through the coil section 251, so that the load arm 253 is approximately in the center in the left-right direction of the cartridge. Note that the configuration of the torsion coil spring 250 is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment.

[0028] The tip of the fixed arm 252 contacts the upper wall 202 of the cartridge body 200 (see Figure 2, etc.). The fixed arm 252 is elastically deformable with the contact point as a pivot, biasing the fixed shaft 220 downward toward the refill housing 210. As a result, as shown in Figure 4, both ends of the fixed shaft 220 contact the opening edge of the movable part 603 of the lever body 600, positioning the fixed shaft 220 in a position where it can engage with the engaging part 120.

[0029] As described above, in this embodiment, when the fixed shaft 220 is fixed by the engaging portion 120 of the cartridge body 200, it is positioned at the first position P1 due to the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 250. When the fixed shaft 220 is released from the engaging portion 120 of the cartridge body 200, it is positioned at the second position P2 against the elastic force of the torsion coil spring 250, as shown in Figure 8. The first position P1 is located below the second position P2. After the lock by the engaging portion 120 is released, the fixed shaft 220 moves from the second position to the first position.

[0030] As shown in Figure 5, the load arm 253 of the torsion coil spring 250 is provided so as to be able to contact the upper surface of the lid member 310 of the refill 300 loaded into the refill housing 210, biasing the lid member 310 downward toward the bottom wall side of the refill 300. As a result, when the refill 300 is loaded into the refill housing 210, the lid member 310 of the refill 300 is pressed down by the load arm 253 of the torsion coil spring 250, and the connecting staples housed inside the refill 300 can be held in a stable position. Thus, in this embodiment, the torsion coil spring 250 that elastically supports the fixed shaft 220 is also used as an elastic member that presses against the lid member 310 of the refill 300. In other words, the coil portion 251 of the torsion coil spring 250 contacts the fixed shaft 220 and functions as an elastic member that biases the fixed shaft 220 to a first position P1, and the load arm 253 functions as an elastic member that biases the lid member 310 of the refill 300 toward the bottom wall side of the refill 300.

[0031] The discharge unit 260 is located at the front of the cartridge body 200. The discharge unit 260, in cooperation with the driver mechanism 30, bends the staples at the tips of the connecting staples fed out from the refill 300 into a roughly U-shape and discharges them toward the stack of paper on the mounting table 70.

[0032] (Example configuration of lever 60) Next, we will explain lever 60 in detail. As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, the lever 60 is displaceably mounted relative to the stapler body 10 on the upper side of the refill storage section 210 and at the rear of the cartridge 20. In this embodiment, the lever 60 is attached to the cartridge body 200. When the cartridge 20 is loaded into the stapler body 10, the lever 60 becomes displaceable relative to the stapler body 10. The lever 60 does not necessarily have to be attached to the cartridge and may be provided on the stapler body 10. The lever 60 has a lever body 600 having a tip portion 601, a base portion 602, and a movable portion 603 provided between the tip portion 601 and the base portion 602, and a knob 610 that protrudes rearward (third direction D3) from the base portion 602.

[0033] The lever body 600 is configured in a roughly U-shape with the front side of the stapler body 10 open. The left and right ends of the fixed shaft 220 pass through the lever body 600. The extension portions 600a and 600b, which extend to the left and right, face the inner surfaces of the engaging portions 120, 120 provided at both ends of the stapler body 10 in the left and right directions when the cartridge 20 is loaded into the stapler body 10.

[0034] The movable part 603 supports the fixed shaft 220 so that it can move from a first position P1 to a second position P2 when the lever 60 is displaced downward in a first direction D1 relative to the stapler body 10 (see Figure 8), upward in a second direction D2 (see Figure 9), or backward in a third direction D3 (see Figure 10). In this embodiment, the movable part 603 is formed by an opening. The left end (one end) of the fixed shaft 220 is movably supported by the movable part 603 of the left extension part 600a. The right end (the other end) of the fixed shaft 220 is movably supported by the movable part of the right extension part 600b. The movable part 603 is, for example, roughly triangular in shape and has an inclined surface 603a that slopes diagonally upward from the base end 602 to the tip end 601. In the movable part 603, the corner portion 603b that supports the fixed shaft 220 at the first position P1 is curved to follow the arc shape of the fixed shaft 220.

[0035] As shown in Figure 5, the knob 610 is the part that the user grips when removing the cartridge 20 from the stapler body 10. The knob 610 has a roughly U-shape in plan view, and each of its ends is attached to the rear end of the lever body 600. A gap S is provided between the knob 610 and the cartridge body 200, into which the user's fingers can be inserted to make it easier to grip the knob 610. In this embodiment, by positioning the knob 610 above the refill storage section 210 and at the rear of the cartridge 20, the amount of protrusion from the rear wall of the stapler body 10 is suppressed. The user can remove the cartridge 20 from the stapler body 10 by gripping the knob 610 and rotating or sliding the entire lever 60 in one of the first direction D1, second direction D2, or third direction D3.

[0036] [Example of operation of electric stapler 1] (When attaching cartridge 20 to the stapler body 10) Next, we will explain how a user can attach the cartridge 20 to the stapler body 10.

[0037] As the user moves the cartridge body 200 forward in the direction D4, which is opposite to the third direction D3, and inserts it into the loading section 110 of the stapler body 10, the cartridge 20 slides forward along the bottom wall of the loading section 110 of the stapler body 10 (see Figure 3). As the cartridge 20 moves forward, the fixed shaft 220 of the cartridge body 200 slides upward along the inclined surface 122 of the engagement section 120 of the stapler body 10, against the elastic force of the fixed arm 252 of the torsion coil spring 250.

[0038] As the cartridge 20 moves further forward, the fixed shaft 220 moves over the inclined surface 122 and towards the stepped portion 121. As shown in Figure 7, the restoring force of the fixed arm 252 of the torsion coil spring 250 biases the fixed shaft 220 downward, moving it to the first position P1. As a result, the fixed shaft 220 engages with the stepped portion 121 of the engaging portion 120, and the cartridge 20 is locked to the stapler body 10.

[0039] (When the lever 60 is rotated in the first direction D1 to remove the cartridge 20 from the stapler body 10) Next, we will explain the case in which the cartridge 20 is removed from the stapler body 10 by rotating the lever 60 in the first direction D1. Figure 8 shows an example of the operation of the electric stapler 1 when the cartridge 20 is removed from the stapler body 10 by rotating the lever 60 in the first direction D1.

[0040] As shown in Figure 8, when the user grips the knob 610 of the lever 60 and rotates it downward in the first direction D1, the knob 610 rotates downward (clockwise) relative to the cartridge body 200 with the first pivot point F1 as the pivot point. Here, the first pivot point F1 is the point where the lower base end of the lever body 600 (extension portion 600a) contacts the upper surface of the cartridge body 200, and is located behind the movable portion 603. Consequently, the lever body 600 side of the lever 60 moves upward, and the fixed shaft 220 supported by the movable portion 603 of the lever body 600 is pushed up against the elastic force of the torsion coil spring 250. As a result, the fixed shaft 220 moves to a second position P2 higher than the stepped portion 121 of the engaging portion 120, and the engagement of the fixed shaft 220 with the engaging portion 120 of the stapler body 10 is released.

[0041] In this state, when the knob 610 is pulled backward in the third direction D3, the cartridge 20 moves backward, and the fixed shaft 220 slides down the inclined surface 122, overcoming the stepped portion 121 of the engaging portion 120. The fixed shaft 220 gradually moves downward due to the restoring force of the torsion coil spring 250 and returns to the first position P1 when it passes the inclined surface 122. The cartridge 20 is pulled further backward and removed from the loading portion 110 of the stapler body 10.

[0042] (When the lever 60 is rotated in the second direction D2 to remove the cartridge 20 from the stapler body 10) Next, we will explain the case in which the cartridge 20 is removed from the stapler body 10 by rotating the lever 60 in the second direction D2. Figure 9 shows an example of the operation of the electric stapler 1 when the cartridge 20 is removed from the stapler body 10 by rotating the lever 60 in the second direction D2.

[0043] As shown in Figure 9, when the lever 60 is gripped by the user and rotated upward in the second direction D2, the lever 60 rotates upward (counterclockwise) relative to the cartridge body 200 with the second pivot point F2 as the pivot point. Here, the second pivot point F2 is the point where the lower tip of the lever body 600 (extension portion 600a) contacts the upper surface of the cartridge body 200, and is located in front of the movable portion 603. Consequently, the fixed shaft 220 supported by the movable portion 603 of the lever 60 is pushed up against the elastic force of the torsion coil spring 250, and the fixed shaft 220 moves to a second position P2 that is higher than the stepped portion 121 of the engaging portion 120. As a result, the engagement of the fixed shaft 220 with the engaging portion 120 of the stapler body 10 is released.

[0044] In this state, when the cartridge 20 is pulled backward in the third direction D3, the cartridge 20 moves backward, and the fixed shaft 220 slides down the inclined surface 122, overcoming the stepped portion 121 of the engaging portion 120. The fixed shaft 220 gradually moves downward due to the restoring force of the torsion coil spring 250, and returns to the first position P1 when it passes the inclined surface 122. The cartridge 20 is pulled further backward and removed from the loading portion 110 of the stapler body 10.

[0045] (When the lever 60 is rotated in the third direction D3 to remove the cartridge 20 from the stapler body 10) Next, we will explain the case in which the cartridge 20 is removed from the stapler body 10 by pulling the lever 60 in the third direction D3. Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the electric stapler 1 when the cartridge 20 is removed from the stapler body 10 by pulling the lever 60 in the third direction D3.

[0046] As shown in Figure 10, when the user grips the knob 610 of the lever 60 and pulls it backward in the third direction D3, the lever 60 moves backward relative to the cartridge body 200. In other words, the movable part 603 of the lever 60 moves relative to the fixed shaft 220 of the cartridge body 200. Consequently, the fixed shaft 220, which is supported by the movable part 603 of the lever body 600, slides upward along the inclined surface 603a of the movable part 603, against the elastic force of the torsion coil spring 250. As a result, the fixed shaft 220 moves to a second position P2 that is higher than the stepped portion 121 of the engaging portion 120, and the engagement of the fixed shaft 220 with the engaging portion 120 of the stapler body 10 is released.

[0047] In this state, when the lever 60 is pulled further in the third direction D3, backward, the entire cartridge 20 moves backward, and the fixed shaft 220 slides down the inclined surface 122, overcoming the stepped portion 121 of the engaging portion 120. The fixed shaft 220 gradually moves downward on the inclined surface 122 due to the restoring force of the torsion coil spring 250, and returns to the first position P1 when it passes the inclined surface 122. The cartridge 20 is pulled further backward and removed from the loading portion 110 of the stapler body 10.

[0048] As described above, according to this embodiment, when removing the cartridge 20 from the stapler body 10, the user can select one of three operations for the lever 60: a first direction, a second direction, or a third direction. By achieving this variety of operability, it is possible to prevent the user from making mistakes when removing the cartridge 20, to ensure that the cartridge 20 is reliably removed from the stapler body 10, and to prevent damage to the electric stapler 1.

[0049] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the knob 610 constituting the lever 60 is positioned approximately above the refill storage section 210 and at the rear of the cartridge 20, the amount of protrusion from the rear wall of the stapler body 10 can be reduced. As a result, the electric stapler 1 can be made smaller compared to the conventional configuration in which the knob 610 protrudes outward from the rear wall of the stapler body 10.

[0050] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the torsion coil spring 250 provided in the cartridge 20 serves both the function of biasing the fixed shaft 220 to the first position P1 and the function of pressing the lid member 310 of the refill 300. As a result, the number of parts can be reduced compared to the case where elastic members are used for both the fixed shaft 220 and the lid member 310. This makes it possible to reduce the cost of the electric stapler 1 equipped with the cartridge 20 compared to conventional designs.

[0051] 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.

[0052] For example, in the embodiment described above, an example was described in which a fixing shaft 220 and a lever 60 for fixing and releasing the cartridge 20 from the stapler body 10 are provided on the cartridge 20 side, but the invention is not limited to this, and they may be provided on the stapler body 10 side. Specifically, the electric stapler 1 may include a stapler body 10 having a loading section 110 into which the cartridge 20 is loaded, a fixing shaft 220 for fixing the cartridge 20 loaded in the loading section 110, and a lever 60 that is displaceably attached to the stapler body 10. In this case, the fixing shaft 220 has a projection that is located at a first position P1 when the cartridge 20 is fixed to the loading section 110, and at a second position P2 when the fixing of the cartridge 20 is released. The lever 60 has a moving part 603 that moves the fixing shaft 220 from the first position P1 to the second position P2 when displaced in a first direction D1, a second direction D2, and a third direction relative to the stapler body 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1. Electric stapler (stapler) 10 Stapler body 20 cartridges 60 Lever 110 Loading section 120 Engaging part 220 Fixed shaft (fixed part) 250 Torsion coil springs (elastic components) 300 refills 310 Lid member 600 Lever Body 600a,600b extension part 601 Tip 602 Proximal end 603 Mobile Unit 610 Knob D1 1st direction D2 2nd direction D3 Third direction D4 4th direction (loading direction) F1 First support point F2 Second support point P1, Position 1 P2, Position 2

Claims

1. A cartridge that is loaded into a stapler, The cartridge body in which the staples are housed, A lever that is displaceably attached to the cartridge body, A fixing part for securing the cartridge to the stapler when it is loaded into the stapler. Equipped with, The fixing portion is positioned in a first position when the cartridge is fixed to the stapler, and in a second position when the fixing is released. The lever has a lever body including a tip, a base, and a movable part provided between the tip and the base, and a knob protruding rearward from the base. The lever body has a first pivot point located on the base end side of the movable part, and a second pivot point located on the tip side of the movable part. The movable part movably supports the fixed part and has an inclined surface that slopes diagonally upward from the base end to the tip end, and moves the fixed part supported by the inclined surface to the second position when the knob rotates downward relative to the cartridge body with the first pivot point as the pivot point, and when the knob rotates upward with the second pivot point as the pivot point. cartridge.

2. The movable part moves the fixed part to the second position when the lever is displaced rearward relative to the cartridge body. The cartridge according to claim 1.

3. The loading direction of the cartridge into the stapler is in a direction intersecting the downward direction. The rearward direction is opposite to the loading direction. The cartridge according to claim 2.

4. The knob protrudes rearward from the base end, The fixing part contacts the inclined surface when the lever is displaced rearward, and moves upward along the inclined surface. The cartridge according to claim 2.

5. The first position is located below the second position. The movable part moves the fixed part upward when the lever is displaced downward, upward, and backward relative to the stapler. The cartridge according to claim 3.

6. The fixing portion is located above the staple housed in the cartridge body. The cartridge according to claim 3.

7. The aforementioned cartridge is The fixed portion has an elastic member that biases it to the first position, The elastic member presses the staple housed in the cartridge body downward. The cartridge according to claim 2.

8. A main body having a loading section into which a cartridge is loaded, and a fixing section for fixing the cartridge loaded into the loading section within the loading section, A lever that is displaceably attached to the main body and Equipped with, The fixing portion has a projection that is located in a first position when the cartridge is fixed to the loading portion and in a second position when the cartridge is released from its fixing. The lever has a lever body including a tip, a base, and a movable part provided between the tip and the base, and a knob protruding rearward from the base. The lever body has a first pivot point located on the base end side of the movable part, and a second pivot point located on the tip side of the movable part. The movable part movably supports the fixed part and has an inclined surface that slopes diagonally upward from the base end to the tip end, and moves the projection supported by the inclined surface from the first position to the second position when the knob rotates downward relative to the main body with the first pivot point as the pivot point, and when the knob rotates upward with the second pivot point as the pivot point. Stapler.

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