Binding machine

Abstract

A binding machine according to the present disclosure comprises: a body part having a binding part configured to be capable of binding an object with staples; a magazine configured to be capable of supporting the staples; and an attachment part having a pressing part for pressing the magazine in the direction of the binding part by rotating in a first rotation direction approaching the binding part, and a fixed part fixed to the body part in a state in which the pressing part presses the magazine in the direction of the binding part by rotating in the first rotation direction, the attachment part being configured so that at least a portion of the magazine is detachably attached to the body part.

Description

tying machine

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a strapping machine.

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

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

[0004] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-74007 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-13307 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-13317

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

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

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

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

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

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a binding machine in which the magazine can be easily attached and detached from the main body.

[0011] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a binding machine according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a bottom view (bottom view) of a binding machine according to one embodiment, as viewed from below. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a binding machine according to one embodiment, as viewed from the side. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a binding machine according to one embodiment, as viewed from above. FIG. 5A is a plan view (top view) showing staples before deformation to be bound by a binding machine according to one embodiment. FIG. 5B is a perspective view showing staples after deformation to be bound by a binding machine according to one embodiment.

[0012] The following describes the configuration of the binding machine 10 according to this embodiment and the staples S supported by the magazine of this binding machine 10. However, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, the present disclosure is widely applicable to binding machines having a main body 15 with a binding section 11 configured to be able to bind objects with staples, and a magazine configured to support staples, and is not limited to the staples S and binding machine 10 shown in this embodiment. Therefore, the following description will first focus on the magazine 14 and magazine mounting section 16 (an example of an "mounting section") of the binding machine 10 according to this embodiment, and then briefly describe the configuration of the binding machine 10 and the staples S.

[0013] [Structure of Binding Machine] An example of the structure of the binding machine 10 for bending the staple S shown in Fig. 5A (described later) as shown in Fig. 5B will be described below. However, the binding machine may have other known structures.

[0014] With the exception of some configurations being inverted left to right (i.e., the first displacement section and second displacement section of the binding machine disclosed in Patent Document 3, etc. being inverted left to right), the basic configuration of the binding machine disclosed in the above patent documents, etc. is the same as that of the binding machine 10 of this embodiment. Therefore, each configuration of the binding machine 10 will be described by appropriately omitting or simplifying it to the extent that a person skilled in the art can implement it based on the above patent documents, the description of this specification, and the state of the art at the time of filing this application.

[0015] 4 may be referred to as the front X1, and the opposite, leftward direction on the paper surface may be referred to as the rear X2, and both directions may be collectively referred to as the front-rear direction X. As described above, the front X1 corresponds to the direction in which the staples S at the upper ends of the connected staples S supported by the magazine 14 move after separating from the other staples S, and also coincides with the opening direction D1 of the staples S (FIG. 5A).

[0016] 4, the front direction perpendicular to the paper surface is referred to as the upper direction Z1, and the opposite depth direction perpendicular to the paper surface is referred to as the lower direction Z2, and both directions may be collectively referred to as the up-down direction Z. In this embodiment, the up-down direction Z corresponds to the extension direction of the magazine 14 and also coincides with the connecting direction (stacking direction) of the connected staples S supported by the magazine 14. Furthermore, the up-down direction on the paper surface in the same figure is referred to as the left-down direction Y1, and the opposite down-down direction on the paper surface is referred to as the right-down direction Y2, and both directions may be collectively referred to as the left-right direction Y. Furthermore, a top view (bottom view) refers to the viewpoint when the binding machine 10, etc. is viewed from an upper Z1 (lower Z2) position toward a lower Z2 (upper Z1), a front view (rear view) refers to the viewpoint when the binding machine 10, etc. is viewed from a forward X1 (rear X2) position toward a rear X2 (forward X1), and a left side view (right side view) refers to the viewpoint when the binding machine 10, etc. is viewed from the left Y1 toward the right Y2 (from the right Y2 toward the left Y1).

[0017] Fig. 1A is a perspective view of the binding machine 10 as viewed from below Z1, and Fig. 1B is a perspective view of the binding machine 10 as viewed from below Z1 when a magazine 14 is being removed from the binding machine 10. Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the binding machine 10 as viewed from below (a bottom view of the binding machine 10), and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the binding machine 10 cut along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the left-right direction Y and passing through the center of the binding machine 10 in the left-right direction Y. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the binding machine 10 cut along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the up-down direction Z and passing through the binding unit 11 of the binding machine 10.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1A and other figures, the binding machine 10 includes a grip 12 extending vertically so as to be grasped by a user and provided with a switch for operating the binding machine 10; a magazine 14 configured to support (hold) a plurality of staples S (sometimes referred to as "connected staples S") stacked and connected vertically and equipped with a pusher 14P ( FIG. 3 ) that urges the staples S upward Z1; and a binding unit 11 configured to bind two objects, a first object G and a second object P, using one staple S. Here, the portion of the binding machine 10 including the grip 12 and the binding unit 11, excluding the detachable magazine 14, may be referred to as a main body 15. The binding machine 10 further includes a magazine attachment unit 16 configured to detachably attach the magazine 14 to the main body 15. First, the configuration of the magazine 14 will be described.

[0019] [Configuration of Magazine] The magazine 14 is configured to be able to support one or a plurality of connected staples S. The magazine 14 includes an engaging portion 14C ( FIG. 1B ) provided at an upper Z1 end of the magazine 14 and configured to be able to engage with the main body portion 15, a magazine support portion having a magazine wall portion 14W provided extending in the up-down direction Z to support the connected staples S connected in the up-down direction Z in a state where the connected staples S are inserted into a region surrounded by the staples S so as to face the inner surfaces (side surfaces facing inward) of the staples S, and a magazine bottom portion 14B provided at a lower Z2 end of the magazine wall portion 14W, and a pusher 14P ( FIG. 3 ) for urging the staples S upward Z1.

[0020] The magazine bottom 14B of the magazine 14 in this embodiment has a portion thereof protruding downward Z2, thereby coming into contact with the magazine abutment portion 16PA described later and being pressed upward Z1, and is provided with a magazine abutment portion 14BA (an example of an "abutment portion"), and a compression spring 14BS (Figure 4) which is an elastic member provided above Z1 of the magazine abutment portion 14BA and biases the magazine abutment portion 14BA downward Z2 so as to be movable in the vertical direction Z.

[0021] With this configuration, when the magazine 14 is attached to the main body 15, the magazine contact portion 14BA is pressed upward Z1 by the magazine contact portion 16PA (described later), making it possible to use the elastic force of the compression spring 14BS to press the magazine 14 toward the binding portion 11 in the upward Z1. Furthermore, since the magazine contact portion 14BA in this embodiment is spherical, it is possible to prevent uneven contact. Therefore, it is possible to press and fix the magazine 14 toward the binding portion 11 of the binding machine 10 in a manner that prevents rattling.

[0022] Other known configurations can be adopted for the configuration of the magazine 14. In this embodiment, the pusher 14P is installed inside a magazine wall portion 14W that penetrates the area surrounded by the linked staples S in the vertical direction Z, thereby reducing the size of the binding machine 10. The pusher 14P has a claw portion 14WC (FIG. 1B) that protrudes outward from a hole formed in the magazine wall portion 14W and extending in the vertical direction Z. The claw portion 14WC is biased by an elastic body such as a spring so as to be able to move back and forth inside the magazine wall portion 14W and is also biased upward Z1. Therefore, when the binding machine 10 is lowered so that the upward Z1 faces vertically and a linked staple S is inserted through an insertion opening ISO (FIG. 2) described below, the claw portion 14WC moves from the downward Z2 to the upward Z1 due to gravity. When the claw portion 14WC is pushed by the connected staples S, it is hidden inside the magazine wall portion 14W, and the pusher 14P can pass through the connected staples S, and thereafter the user moves the pusher 14P downward Z2 to pass through the connected staples S, and when the pusher 14P is moved Z2 below the connected staples S, the claw portion 14WC protrudes outward again. Therefore, the pusher 14P is configured to be able to press, toward the upward Z1, the connected staples S that have been inserted from the downward Z2 toward the upward Z1.

[0023] With this configuration, it is possible to load the staples S into the binding machine 10 simply by inserting the linked staples S through the insertion opening ISO, which will be described later, with the binding machine 10 lowered so that the main body 15 of the binding machine 10 is positioned vertically. Note that the claw portion 14WC may be provided with a tapered surface formed so as to widen from the downward direction Z2 to the upward direction Z1. With this configuration, the claw portion 14WC is easily pressed down into the interior of the magazine wall portion 14W by the linked staples S abutting against the tapered surface, so that it is possible to smoothly load the linked staples S into the binding machine 10.

[0024] However, the present disclosure is not limited to the configuration of the magazine 14 shown in this embodiment, and may be applied to magazines having other known configurations capable of supporting one or multiple connected staples. For example, the magazine attachment portion of the present disclosure may be applied to a magazine that extends upward Z1 relative to the binding portion 11 of the main body portion 15.

[0025] [Configuration of the magazine mounting section] There are times when it is necessary to remove the magazine from the main body of the binding machine during maintenance or when the staples become jammed. If the magazine is fixed to the binding machine using screws or other fasteners, it is time-consuming to remove the screws. Also, when attaching the magazine to the binding machine, it is desirable to press the magazine against the main body of the binding machine to secure it in place to minimize rattle, but this results in an increase in the size of the binding machine due to the parts required to press the magazine.

[0026] Therefore, the inventors of the present application came up with the idea of ​​a configuration of a magazine attachment part that makes it easy to attach and detach a magazine while suppressing an increase in the size of the binding machine.

[0027] 1A and 1B, the magazine attachment portion 16 according to this embodiment is configured to detachably attach the magazine 14 to the main body portion 15. Specifically, the magazine attachment portion 16 includes a rotation shaft portion 16R rotatably provided with respect to the main body portion 15, a pressing portion 16P connected to the rotation shaft portion 16R and thereby rotatably provided with respect to the main body portion 15, and a fixing portion 16F rotatably provided with respect to the main body portion 15 together with the pressing portion 16P.

[0028] When the pressing portion 16P and the fixing portion 16F rotate around the rotation shaft portion 16R in a first rotation direction RD1 (FIG. 3) approaching the main body portion 15, the pressing portion 16P presses the magazine 14 toward the upward Z1 where the binding portion 11 is provided, and the fixing portion 16F engages with the main body portion 15 to be fixed to the main body portion 15, thereby attaching the magazine 14 to the main body portion 15. The state in which the magazine 14 is attached to the main body portion 15 as shown in FIGS. 1A and 3 may be referred to as a magazine attached state.

[0029] On the other hand, in the magazine attached state, when the pressing portion 16P and the fixing portion 16F rotate in a second rotation direction RD2 ( FIG. 3 ) away from the main body portion 15, the pressure on the magazine 14 in the upward Z1 direction is released, the pressing portion 16P moves away from the magazine 14, and the engagement with the main body portion 15 is released, so that the fixing portion 16F moves away from the main body portion 15, allowing the magazine 14 to be removed from the main body portion 15 as shown in FIG. 1B . This state in which the magazine 14 can be removed from the main body portion 15 is sometimes referred to as a magazine released state. The detailed configuration of the magazine attachment portion 16 will be described below.

[0030] The rotating shaft 16R rotatably holds the magazine attachment portion 16 relative to the main body 15. In this embodiment, the rotating shaft 16R includes a first rotating shaft 16R1 provided in a position forward (X1) of a main body contact portion 16FA and a magazine contact portion 16PA (described later) and spaced to the left (Y1) of the main body contact portion 16FA and the magazine contact portion 16PA, and a second rotating shaft 16R2 provided in a position forward (X1) of the main body contact portion 16FA and the magazine contact portion 16PA and spaced to the right (Y2) of the main body contact portion 16FA and the magazine contact portion 16PA. The first rotating shaft 16R1 and the second rotating shaft 16R2 each have a rotation axis parallel to the left-right direction Y. Therefore, the pressing portion 16P and the fixing portion 16F connected to the first rotating shaft portion 16R1 and the second rotating shaft portion 16R2 are configured to move away from the main body portion 15 by rotating in the second rotation direction RD2 (clockwise direction in Figure 3) and to move closer to the main body portion 15 by rotating in the opposite first rotation direction RD1 (counterclockwise direction in Figure 3).

[0031] The first rotating shaft 16R1 and the second rotating shaft 16R2 are provided facing each other and spaced apart in the left-right direction Y. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 2, the binding operation can be performed by positioning the first rotating shaft 16R1 and the second rotating shaft 16R2 so that a second object P (e.g., a plant such as a tomato stem) extending in the up-down direction Z passes through the space between them.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3 , in the magazine-attached state, the first and second rotating shafts 16R1 and 16R2 are located further forward (X1) than the main body contact portion 16FA and the magazine contact portion 16PA. To achieve this positional relationship, the lower end (lower Z1 end) of the grip 12 is provided with a left protrusion that extends forward (X1) and faces the wall portion of the magazine wall portion 14W facing the left (Y1) side in the magazine-attached state, protruding further forward (X1) than the magazine 14. The right protrusion also extends forward (X1) and faces the wall portion of the magazine wall portion 14W facing the right (Y2) side in the magazine-attached state, protruding further forward (X1) than the magazine 14. In the magazine-attached state, the magazine 14 is inserted into a recess ( FIG. 1B ) formed in the lower end of the grip 12, which is located between the left protrusion and the right protrusion, and is open to the front (X1) side and recessed to the rear (X2) side. The first rotation shaft portion 16R1 is supported at the front end of a left protrusion provided at the lower end of the grip 12 so as to be rotatable in a first rotation direction RD1 and a second rotation direction RD2, and the second rotation shaft portion 16R2 is supported at the front end of a right protrusion provided at the lower end of the grip 12 so as to be rotatable in a first rotation direction RD1 and a second rotation direction RD2.

[0033] In the magazine attached state, the pressing portion 16P abuts against the magazine abutment portion 14BA that protrudes downward Z2, and presses the magazine 14 toward the upward Z1 where the binding portion 11 is provided. The pressing portion 16P is connected to the rotating shaft portion 16R and is thereby rotatable in a first rotation direction RD1 and a second rotation direction RD2 relative to the main body portion 15. Specifically, the pressing portion 16P is provided with a first leg portion extending from the first rotating shaft portion 16R1 in a direction (rear X2) toward the main body abutment portion 16FA located at the rear X2 in the magazine attached state, a second leg portion extending from the second rotating shaft portion 16R2 in a direction (rear X2) toward the main body abutment portion 16FA located at the rear X2 in the magazine attached state, and a magazine abutment portion 16PA having a connection portion that connects the first leg and the second leg and abuts against the magazine abutted portion 14BA in the area between the rotating shaft portion 16R located at the front X1 in the magazine attached state and the main body abutment portion 16FA located at the rear X2. As described above, in this embodiment, the magazine contact portion 14BA is formed in a spherical shape, and therefore the connecting portion has a flat portion that faces and can contact the magazine contact portion 14BA. When the magazine is attached, this flat portion is approximately perpendicular to the vertical direction Z and presses the magazine contact portion 14BA provided on the magazine bottom 14B upward in the Z1 direction.

[0034] The fixing portion 16F is fixed to the main body 15 in the magazine attached state, thereby supporting the magazine attachment portion 16. The fixing portion 16F is formed integrally with the pressing portion 16P, and is therefore provided rotatable relative to the main body 15 in the first rotation direction RD1 and the second rotation direction RD2 together with the pressing portion 16P. Specifically, in the magazine attached state, the fixing portion 16F extends rearward X2 from the first rotation shaft 16R1 to face the wall portion of the magazine wall 14W facing the left Y1, and is connected to the main body abutment portion 16FA located rearward X2 from the magazine 14. In the same state, the fixing portion 16F is connected to the second rotation shaft 16R2. and a second connecting portion 16FC2 that extends rearward X2 from the magazine wall portion 14W so as to face the wall portion facing rightward Y2 of the magazine wall portion 14W and connects to a main body abutment portion 16FA that is located rearward X2 from the magazine 14, and a main body abutment portion 16FA that is connected to the first connecting portion 16FC1 and the second connecting portion 16FC2, respectively, and that is supported by the lower end of the grip 12, which is part of the main body portion 15, at a position rearward X2 from the magazine 14 in the left-right direction Y and at a position corresponding to the center of the main body portion 15.

[0035] Here, a latch structure for engaging with the body abutment 16FA to fix the magazine attachment portion 16 is provided at the lower end of the grip 12. Specifically, the latch structure includes a support portion 12S biased forward X1 so as to be movable in the front-to-rear direction X and having a support surface facing upward Z1, and a compression spring 12SP which is an elastic member provided behind the support portion 12S at the rear X2 and biases the support portion 12S forward X1 so as to be movable in the front-to-rear direction X. As shown in Fig. 3, in the magazine attachment state, the body abutment 16FA and the support portion 12S engage with each other, and the support portion 12S supports the body abutment 16FA from the downward Z2 and applies a force upward Z1 corresponding to the first rotational direction RD1. Therefore, the body abutment 16FA is fixed to the body portion 15 while receiving a force in the first rotational direction RD1 from the support portion 12S provided on the body portion 15. At this time, the support portion 12S also presses the main body abutment portion 16FA forward X1, so that the magazine 14 receives a force in the upward direction Z1 via the pressing portion 16P and the fixing portion 16F, and also receives a force in the forward direction X1 from the fixing portion 16F, thereby making it possible to attach the magazine 14 to the main body portion 15 in a state in which rattle is suppressed. Therefore, it becomes possible to stabilize the supply position of the staples S supported by the magazine 14 to the binding portion 11.

[0036] According to the above-described configuration, by rotating the magazine attachment portion 16 in the first rotation direction RD1 while the engagement portion 14C provided at the upper end of the magazine 14 is engaged with the main body portion 15, the pressing portion 16P presses the magazine bottom portion 14B at the lower end of the magazine 14 toward the upward Z1 direction where the binding portion 11 is provided, and the fixing portion 16F, which rotates together with the pressing portion 16P in the first rotation direction RD1, is fixed to the lower end of the grip 12 of the main body portion 15 in a state where the pressing portion 16P presses the magazine bottom portion 14B toward the upward Z1 direction where the binding portion 11 is provided. Furthermore, by moving the support portion 12S backward X2 and rotating the magazine attachment portion 16 in the opposite second rotation direction RD2, the pressing portion 16P releases the pressing of the magazine 14 and moves together with the fixing portion 16F to a position where it does not interfere with the downward movement of the magazine 14 in the Z2 direction, making it possible to remove the magazine 14 from the main body portion 15.

[0037] 2 and 3, in the magazine attached state, the main body abutment portion 16FA is located rearward X2 from the magazine 14 (including the support portion of the magazine 14) and rearward X2 from the magazine abutment portion 16PA, and the magazine 14 (including the support portion of the magazine 14) and the magazine abutment portion 16PA are located rearward X2 from the rotating shaft portion 16R. In other words, in the magazine attached state, the magazine 14 (including the support portion of the magazine 14) and the magazine abutment portion 16PA are located forward X1 from the main body abutment portion 16FA, and the rotating shaft portion 16R is located forward X1 from the magazine 14 (including the support portion of the magazine 14) and the magazine abutment portion 16PA.

[0038] With this configuration, the force in the first rotation direction RD1 that the main body abutment 16FA receives from the main body 15 can be efficiently transmitted to the magazine abutment 16PA according to the principle of leverage, with the main body abutment 16FA as the force point, the rotation shaft 16R as the fulcrum, and the magazine abutment 16PA as the point of action. This configuration also makes it possible to attach the magazine 14 to the main body 15 so as to suppress rattle. However, this configuration is not limited to the above. For example, the main body abutment 16FA may be located further forward than the magazine 14 (including the support portion of the magazine 14) in the X1 direction than the magazine abutment 16PA, and the magazine 14 (including the support portion of the magazine 14) and the magazine abutment 16PA may be located further forward than the rotation shaft 16R in the X1 direction. This configuration also makes it possible to efficiently transmit the force in the first rotation direction RD1 that the main body abutment 16FA receives from the main body 15 to the magazine abutment 16PA according to the principle of leverage.

[0039] [Insertion Port] Next, the configuration of the insertion port ISO for inserting the linked staples S and loading the linked staples S into the binding machine 10 will be described.

[0040] 2 , which shows a bottom view of the binding machine 10, in the magazine-attached state, the main body abutment portion 16FA and the first and second connection portions 16FC1 and 16FC2, which are connection portions connecting the main body abutment portion 16FA to the rotation shaft portion 16R, are arranged to cover the outside of the support portion of the magazine 14. The insertion opening ISO is formed between the support portion of the magazine 14 (the magazine bottom portion 14B in the bottom view) and the main body abutment portion 16FA, the first connection portion 16FC1, and the second connection portion 16FC2, and is formed so as to be visible when viewed from below. Note that even when the magazine 14 is attached to the main body portion 15, the insertion opening ISO is formed between the magazine 14 and the main body portion 15, and is formed so as to be visible when viewed from below.

[0041] Therefore, the linked staples S supported by the magazine 14 can be seen through the insertion opening ISO when viewed from below.

[0042] With this configuration, it is possible to load the staples S into the binding machine 10 simply by lowering the binding machine 10 so that the main body 15 of the binding machine 10 is positioned vertically and inserting the connected staples S through the insertion port ISO.

[0043] [Structure of Binding Section] An example of the structure of the binding section 11 of the binding machine 10 for bending the staple S shown in Fig. 5A to Fig. 5B will be described below. However, other known structures may be adopted as means for deforming the staple.

[0044] The binding machine 10 includes the above-described magazine 14 and magazine attachment section 16, as well as a binding section 11. The binding section 11 is a section that bends staples to bind objects together. The binding section 11 of this embodiment includes a first displacement section 20 that displaces a first leg S1 of the staple S so that it can engage with a first object G, and a second displacement section 30 that displaces a second leg S2 of the staple S so that it can engage with the first object G.

[0045] The first displacement unit 20 is provided in front of the first leg S1 and has a hole with an inner wall surface including a cylindrical surface. As will be described later, in the binding machine 10, with the first object G inserted on the central axis of this cylindrical surface, the tip S1P of the first leg S1 of the staple S moving forward by the driver 42 is brought into contact with (collides with) the inner wall surface, deforming the tip ST into a spiral shape so as to surround the first object G, thereby engaging the tip ST with the first object G. On the other hand, the second displacement unit 30 has a wall provided in front of the second leg S2. As will be described later, in the binding machine 10, with the first leg S1, the second leg S2, and the main body S3 of the staple S surrounding the second object P, the driver 42 causes the second leg S2 of the staple S to abut (collide) against a wall surface, bending the hook portion S24 of the second leg S2 so that it engages with the first object G, thereby engaging the hook portion S24 with the first object G. The binding machine 10 is configured to be able to bind the first object G and the second object P by engaging both ends of the staple S with the first object G with the staple S surrounding the second object P.

[0046] Specifically, the binding machine 10 includes a driver 42 that separates the staple S located at the top end from the other staples S by pushing the staple S located at the top end forward X1, which coincides with the opening direction D1, and moves the staple S located at the top end forward X1, a moving mechanism for moving the driver 42, a first displacement unit 20 (sometimes called a "clincher unit") for bending the first leg S1 of the staple S and deforming it into a spiral shape, and a second displacement unit 30 for deforming the second leg S2 of the staple S by bending or bending it.

[0047] [Driver and Driver Movement Mechanism] As described in the above patent documents, the binding machine 10 is configured to move the nut component 52 and the driver 42 fixed thereto forward or backward by rotating the ball screw 50, which is installed extending in the front-to-rear direction approximately through the center of the binding machine 10, in a forward or reverse direction using a built-in motor 54. Because the nut component 52 and the driver 42 are configured to be movable forward X1 and backward X2, they are sometimes referred to as moving units. The binding machine 10 further includes a reducer connected to the output shaft of the motor 54 and a printed circuit board on which a CPU corresponding to a control device for the motor 54 is mounted.

[0048] The driver 42 is configured to be able to move forward X1 by separating the uppermost staple S of the plurality of staples S held in the magazine 14 and stacked in the vertical direction from the other staples S while maintaining a front-to-back relationship in which the opening of the staple S is in the front and the main body S3 is in the rear, and move forward X1. The driver 42 is configured to further move the separated staple S forward X1 and bring the first leg S1 into contact with a first displacement portion 20 (described later), thereby plastically deforming the first leg S1, and bring the second leg S2 into contact with a guide wall included in a second displacement portion 30 (described later), thereby plastically deforming the second leg S2.

[0049] [First Displacement Unit] The first displacement unit 20 (an example of a "displacement unit") has a function of displacing the first leg S1 of the staple S, which is moved in the forward direction X1 by the driver 42, by deforming it into a spiral shape so as to surround the first object G, so as to be able to engage with the first object G. However, the configuration for deforming the staple S, which is moved in the forward direction X1 by the driver 42, into a spiral shape may be realized by another known configuration.

[0050] Although detailed description will be omitted because this can be easily implemented by a person skilled in the art based on the state of the art at the time of filing, including the above-mentioned patent documents, the first displacement section 20 according to this embodiment includes a hole having a cylindrical inner wall surface into which the tip S1P of the straight portion S12 of the first leg S1 of the staple S is inserted as the staple S is advanced by the driver 42, thereby causing the tip ST of the first leg S1 to advance downward Z2 (downward in the stacking direction) while curving in an arc or spiral, and a groove for guiding the tip of the first leg S1 into the hole (e.g., this corresponds to the hole 210 and the groove 211 in the above-mentioned patent document 3). The hole is provided in the front X1 of the first leg S1 such that the axial direction of the cylindrical surface is parallel to the up-down direction Z. Therefore, as the staple S advances, the tip S1P of the straight portion S12 comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the hole, and the tip ST can be displaced so that it advances in a spiral shape in accordance with the shape of the inner wall surface. In addition, in order to encourage the tip ST to move downward Z2, the binding machine 10 may be provided with a lid that closes the top of the hole (the top surface of the cylinder), and the lid may be formed with a tapered surface that slopes downward Z2 along the circumferential direction to encourage the tip S1P to move downward Z2.

[0051] With this configuration, when the first object G, for example a guide string, is positioned so that it extends in the vertical direction along the central axis of the hole, and the tip S1P of the first leg S1 is inserted into the hole, the tip S1P will move in a spiral along the cylindrical inner wall surface of the hole, so that the tip ST can be deformed spirally around the first object G, allowing the tip ST to engage with the first object G.

[0052] [Second Displacement Section] The second displacement section 30 (an example of a "displacement section") has a function of displacing the second leg S2 of the staple S moved forward X1 by the driver 42 so that the second leg S2 can engage with the first object G. Although detailed description will be omitted because it would be easily implemented by a person skilled in the art based on the state of the art at the time of filing, including the above-mentioned patent documents, the second displacement section 30 according to this embodiment is configured to displace the second leg S2 inward of the staple S as the driver 42 moves forward X1. Specifically, the second displacement section 30 has a first guide wall that is provided on the outside of the second leg S2 in the initial state before the staple S starts to be displaced, and that is adapted to bend the second leg S2 by contacting the second leg S2 of the staple S moving in the opening direction D1 (forward X1). This first guide wall has a recess that is recessed outward of the staple S.

[0053] Furthermore, the second displacement portion 30 includes a second guide wall that is provided in front of the second leg S2 in the initial state before the staple S starts to be displaced, and that bends the second leg S2 when the second leg S2 of the staple S moving in the opening direction DR1 comes into contact with the second guide wall. This second guide wall has a wall surface facing the rear X2, and further has a convex portion that protrudes toward the rear X2. In the initial state, this convex portion is provided in front of the second leg S2 in the front-rear direction and inward of the second leg S2 in the left-right direction, and is provided at an inner end of the second guide wall so that the amount of protrusion toward the rear X2 increases as the convex portion advances inward.

[0054] With this configuration, the second leg S2 of the staple S, which is advanced by the driver 42, can be brought into contact (collide) with the inner wall surfaces of the first guide wall and the second guide wall, thereby bending the third part S23 of the second leg S2 so that it curves greatly, and therefore the hook part S24 can be displaced in a direction approaching the first object G and hooked onto the first object G.

[0055] As described above, of the staple S advanced by the driver 42, the first leg S1 is deformed spirally by the first displacement portion 20 and engages with the first object G, and the hook portion S24 of the second leg S2 is hooked onto and engaged with the first object G by the second displacement portion 30, making it possible to bind the first object G and the second object P together.

[0056] [Configuration of Staple S] Next, the configuration of the staple S in this embodiment will be described. However, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, the present disclosure is widely applicable as a structure for attaching a magazine capable of supporting (holding) staples having any shape including two legs and a connecting portion (sometimes called a crown portion) connecting the two legs (for example, the two legs may be formed as parallel line segments, non-parallel line segments, curved lines, or a combination thereof; the crown portion may be formed linearly or curvedly). However, staples having an asymmetric shape like the staple S shown in this embodiment are generally prone to jamming, and therefore the effects of the present disclosure are more pronounced.

[0057] FIG. 5A is a plan view of the staple S as seen from above in a state before binding (sometimes referred to as "before deformation"; the same applies hereinafter) according to this embodiment.

[0058] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the staple S in a state after binding (sometimes called "after deformation" or "when engaged"; the same applies hereinafter) according to this embodiment.

[0059] First, the structure of the staple S before binding will be described.

[0060] This staple S has a first leg S1, a second leg S2, and a main body S3 connecting the first leg S1 and the second leg S2. Before binding, the first leg S1 and the second leg S2 of the staple S are spaced apart, so that an opening is provided between the first leg S1 and the second leg S2. In this embodiment, the direction from the main body S3, which is the closed portion, toward the opening (to the left in the plane of the paper in FIG. 5A ) may be referred to as the opening direction D1 (of the staple S). Furthermore, a direction parallel to an imaginary plane penetrating the first leg S1, the second leg S2, and the main body S3 of the staple S may be referred to as the lateral direction (of the staple S), and the surface of the staple S facing the lateral direction may be referred to as the lateral side of the staple S. Furthermore, a direction perpendicular to the side direction and in which a plurality of staples S are connected is called a stacking direction or connecting direction, and particularly, the front direction perpendicular to the paper surface in Fig. 5A may be called the upper stacking direction (of the staples S), and the depth direction perpendicular to the paper surface in Fig. 5A may be called the lower stacking direction. Note that, as will be described later, in this embodiment, the opening direction D1 of the staples S coincides with the forward direction X1, which is the moving direction of the staples S set in the binding machine 10. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the stacking direction of the connected staples S supported by the magazine 14 of the binding machine 10 coincides with the up-down direction Z, which is the extending direction of the magazine 14.

[0061] The staple S comprises a main body S3 connecting the first leg S1 and the second leg S2 and surrounding a second object P such as a stem; a first leg S1 connected to one end of the main body S3 and including a first portion S11 that bends and extends outward, and a second portion S12 that bends further from the first portion S11 and extends in the opening direction D1; and a second leg S2 connected to the other end of the main body S3 and including a third portion S23 that extends in the opening direction D1 and a fourth portion S24 that bends outward from the tip of the third portion S23. As shown in the figure, the main body S3 is curved in a C-shape or a semicircular arc. The first portion S11 connecting the main body S3 and the second portion S12 is sometimes referred to as a crank portion, and the second portion S12 connected to the first portion S11 and extending linearly in the opening direction D1 is sometimes referred to as a straight portion. Furthermore, a fourth portion S24, which corresponds to the other tip of the staple S and is bent at an acute angle relative to the third portion S23, is sometimes called a hook portion.

[0062] 5B, which shows the state after deformation, the hook portion S24 corresponding to the tip of the second leg portion S2 is engaged by bending the second leg portion S2 in a direction approaching the first object G by the binding machine 10 described below and hooking it onto the first object G. At this time, the opening that was provided between the two legs in the pre-deformation state is closed in top view, making it possible to surround the second object P using the staple S.

[0063] When the hook portion S24 engages with the first object G, the main body portion S3 and the third portion S23 exert elastic force in a direction to widen the opening and return to their original positions. This allows the hook portion S24 to apply tension to the first object G in the direction to widen the opening, i.e., in the direction to move away from the first leg portion S1 and return to its original position. This makes it possible to prevent the first object G from bending and causing the staple S to fall off, etc.

[0064] Furthermore, various modifications of the present disclosure are possible without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, some components of one embodiment can be added to other embodiments within the scope of ordinary creativity of a person skilled in the art. Also, some components of one embodiment can be replaced with corresponding components of other embodiments.

[0065] Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components of the above-described embodiments may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0066] This application is based on a Japanese patent application (Patent Application No. 2024-042553) filed on March 18, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0067] In the binding machine according to the present disclosure, the magazine can be easily attached to and detached from the main body.

[0068] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Binding machine 11 Binding section 12 Grip 14 Magazine 14B Magazine bottom 14P Pusher 14W Magazine wall 15 Main body 16 Magazine mounting section 16F Fixed section 16P Pressing section 16R Rotating shaft 20 First displacement section 30 Second displacement section 42 Driver 52 Nut part 54 Motor G First object ISO Insertion port P Second object RD1 First rotation direction RD2 Second rotation direction S Staple

Claims

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

2. A binding machine as described in claim 1, wherein, in a magazine mounted state in which the pressing portion presses the magazine in the direction of the binding portion and the fixing portion is fixed to the main body portion, an insertion opening through which staples can be inserted is formed between the mounting portion and the magazine, and the magazine is configured to be able to support staples inserted through the insertion opening.

3. The binding machine described in claim 2, wherein the mounting portion further comprises a rotating shaft portion attached to the main body portion so as to be rotatable in the first rotation direction and the second rotation direction, the fixing portion has a main body abutment portion that is fixed to the main body portion when it receives a force in the first rotation direction from the main body portion in the magazine mounting state, and a connection portion that connects the main body abutment portion and the rotating shaft portion, and the pressing portion has a magazine abutment portion that is formed by extending in a direction from the rotating shaft portion toward the main body abutment portion and is configured to be able to press the magazine toward the binding portion in the area between the rotating shaft portion and the main body abutment portion.

4. A binding machine as described in claim 3, wherein the magazine has a magazine support portion formed to extend in the vertical direction and for supporting one staple or multiple staples connected in the vertical direction while being inserted into an area surrounded by the staples.

5. A binding machine as described in claim 4, wherein, in the magazine attached state, the main body abutment portion and the connection portion are provided on the outside of the magazine support portion, the insertion opening is formed between the main body abutment portion and the connection portion and the magazine support portion, and the magazine abutment portion presses the lower end portion of the magazine support portion upward.

6. A binding machine as described in claim 5, further comprising a moving section that is supported by the magazine and moves the staple located at the upper end forward, wherein the magazine support section and the magazine abutment section are provided forward of the main body abutment section, and the rotating shaft section is provided forward of the magazine support section and the magazine abutment section.

7. A binding machine as described in claim 5, wherein the magazine support portion and the magazine abutment portion are located rearward of the main body abutment portion, and the rotating shaft portion is located rearward of the magazine support portion and the magazine abutment portion.

8. A binding machine as described in claim 3, wherein the magazine is configured to be movable in the vertical direction and further comprises an abutment portion that abuts against the magazine abutment portion when the magazine is in the attached state.

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

10. The binding machine described in claim 8, wherein the rotating shaft portion has a first rotating shaft portion attached to the main body portion at a position forward and spaced to the left or right of the main body abutment portion, and a second rotating shaft portion attached to the main body portion at a position forward and spaced to the right or left of the main body abutment portion and facing the first rotating shaft portion in the left-right direction, and the connecting portion has a first connecting portion connecting the main body abutment portion and the first rotating shaft portion, and a second connecting portion connecting the main body abutment portion and the second rotating shaft portion.

11. A binding machine as described in claim 10, wherein the main body abutment portion is configured to abut against the main body portion at the center of the main body portion in the vertical direction and the left-right direction that intersects with the front when the magazine is attached.

12. The binding machine according to claim 1, wherein when the magazine is attached to the main body, an insertion opening is formed between the magazine and the main body, through which staples can be inserted.

13. A binding machine according to any one of claims 2 to 12, wherein the insertion opening is formed so as to be visible when viewed from below the binding machine.

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