Staple Tool Nosepiece Segmentation for Barbed Staple Jamming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power tools are not suitable for driving barbed staples due to the lack of clearance for the barbs, leading to manual driving methods which are inefficient and prone to jamming.

Innovation Solution

A powered staple tool with a nosepiece featuring clearance spaces and passages for barbs, a driver blade with lateral support, and a staple supply mechanism that includes collation tape for alignment and stability, allowing for efficient and precise driving of barbed staples into workpieces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If existing power tools are used to drive barbed staples, then the driving speed and efficiency are improved, but the tool jams due to lack of clearance for barbs in the passage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving speedVSAvoidjamming risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The passage in the nosepiece is segmented into multiple sections: an initial section with standard dimensions, and a second section with increased dimensions to accommodate barbs. This segmentation allows the passage to handle both regular staple passage and barb clearance requirements separately, preventing jamming while maintaining driving efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The passage has non-uniform cross-sectional dimensions along its length. The second section has larger dimensions specifically where barbs need to pass through, while other sections maintain standard dimensions. This local quality change provides barb clearance only where needed, avoiding tool jamming without compromising overall tool performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If manual driving methods are used for barbed staples, then the risk of jamming is reduced, but the driving efficiency and speed decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejamming riskVSAvoiddriving efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The driver blade acts as an intermediary between the power delivery source and the staple. It is specifically designed with engagement portions that interact with the staple crown and legs, providing controlled force transmission. This intermediary mechanism enables reliable power-driven operation of barbed staples by managing the interaction between the power source and the complex geometry of barbed staples.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The passage dimensions are changed along its length, with the second section having increased cross-sectional area to accommodate barbs. This parameter change in the passage geometry allows power tools to drive barbed staples efficiently without jamming, bridging the gap between manual reliability and power-driven efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the passage dimensions are increased to accommodate barbs, then the clearance for barbs is improved, but the alignment precision of the staple decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebarb clearanceVSAvoidstaple alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The passage is divided into sections with different functions: the first section maintains tighter dimensions for alignment, while the second section provides larger clearance for barbs. This segmentation allows the tool to achieve both precise staple alignment during initial positioning and adequate clearance during barb passage, resolving the contradiction between alignment precision and barb clearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The driver blade engagement portion makes preliminary contact with the staple crown and legs before full driving force is applied. This preliminary action ensures proper staple alignment in the passage before the barbs encounter the wider section, maintaining alignment precision while enabling barb clearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3401059B1Staple tool
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP3401059B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3401059B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3401059B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4

AI summary

Disclosed is a tool for driving a barbed staple into a workpiece, the tool includes a housing enclosing a power delivery source and a driver blade driven by the power delivery source and comprising an engagement portion configured for engagement with the staple. The tool further includes a nosepiece comprising an aperture providing access for loading a staple into the nosepiece and a passage configured for slidable mounting of the driver blade. In use, the driver blade may be driven along a longitudinal axis of the passage by the power delivery source to engage and drive a staple into a workpiece. Clearances are providing to allow for loading and passage of the barbed staples in the nosepiece and arrangements are provided to maintain the alignment of the staple in the nosepiece to compensate for those clearances.