Stapler with Automatic Offset Gear for Reducing Stack Bulge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional staplers increase storage and transportation inefficiencies due to staples abutting each other, causing bulges and occupying more space than necessary, as existing solutions either require manual adjustment or do not effectively prevent staple interference.
Innovation Solution
A stapler with an automatically repositioning assembly that adjusts the depth of staple insertion incrementally with each use, using a gear drive mechanism to offset staples in successive sheets, preventing them from abutting and reducing stack thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If traditional staplers insert fasteners at a pre-determined offset, then the stapler structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the fasteners abut each other when stacking packets, creating bulges and increasing storage space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet stop is made adjustable rather than fixed, allowing it to be repositioned to different locations along the guide surface. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the stapler to vary the fastener insertion position, preventing abutting when stacking packets while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of fastener insertion position by allowing the sheet stop to be adjusted to different locations. This parameter variation ensures that successive packets are stapled at different positions, eliminating the bulge problem and reducing storage space requirements
2Volume of stationary object
If manual adjustment of sheet stop position is implemented, then staple abutting can be prevented, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring manual adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet stop is designed to be automatically repositioned by the user's own action of stacking packets. When a packet is placed on the guide surface, it naturally pushes the sheet stop to a new position, eliminating the need for separate manual adjustment operations while achieving the goal of preventing staple abutting
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet stop is preliminarily positioned at different locations along the guide surface before use. This preliminary arrangement of multiple possible positions allows the system to automatically select the appropriate position based on the stacking sequence, preventing the need for real-time manual adjustment
3Productivity
If successive packets are stapled at the same position, then the stapler operation is simple and fast, but the fasteners abut and create bulges that interfere with subsequent packets
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet stop position changes dynamically with each stacking operation rather than remaining fixed. This dynamic repositioning ensures that each packet is stapled at a different location, preventing staple interference and bulging while maintaining efficient stapling speed through the automatic nature of the process
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of varying the staple position within the same plane, the invention utilizes the longitudinal dimension of the guide surface to reposition the sheet stop along its length. This dimensional approach effectively distributes staples across different locations, preventing abutting without complicating the stapling mechanism
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The automatic repositioning of staples reduces the volume occupied by stacked sheets, enhancing storage, transportation, and handling efficiency by preventing staple interference and bulging.
Implementation Method 1
a gear drive mechanism to offset staples in successive sheets
Data Source
AI summary
A device for automatically offsetting pronged fasteners, or staples, in successively fastened sets of sheet material is provided. The assembly may be disposed within any manual or power driven stapler. It may comprise a manually or electrically rotatable drive gear which, when rotated, pushes a means for setting the depth at which such fasteners may be delivered into such sheet material respective to an edge thereof. In use, stacked sheets of material, such as paper, may be placed within a stapler. Then, when the stapler is activated to fasten the set, the drive gear may automatically rotate to push the means for setting the depth forward so that a subsequently delivered fastener may be delivered into a following set of sheet material at a different depth from the edge of the prior set.