Stored Energy Stapler Lever Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Desk-top staplers require significant user force to staple multiple sheets of paper, leading to potential jamming and damage when too many sheets are inserted, as the staple may not pass through or buckle, causing operational issues.

Innovation Solution

A stored energy stapler design featuring a base portion, pivotally coupled levers, a striker element, and a biasing member that stores energy to drive staples efficiently through multiple sheets, utilizing a latch mechanism to release kinetic energy for staple discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a user presses on the drive arm to drive staples through multiple sheets of paper, then the staple is driven through the sheets, but significant user force is required and the staple may buckle or jam when too many sheets are inserted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of sheets stapledVSAvoiduser force required

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The spring is compressed in advance during the loading process, storing elastic potential energy before the stapling action is needed. This preliminary energy storage eliminates the need for significant user force during actual stapling, as the pre-compressed spring provides the driving force to penetrate multiple sheets of paper.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The stapler employs a cyclic loading and firing mechanism where the spring is periodically compressed during loading and then released to drive the staple. This periodic action allows the stored energy to be converted into kinetic energy at the moment of stapling, enabling consistent performance across multiple sheets without requiring increasing user force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Quantity of substance

If too many sheets of paper are inserted between the magazine and the base, then the staple may not pass entirely through the sheets or the legs of the staple may buckle, but inserting fewer sheets reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of sheets stapledVSAvoidstaple penetration reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spring is pre-compressed to store sufficient elastic potential energy before the stapling action. This preliminary energy storage ensures that when the trigger is activated, there is enough stored energy to drive the staple through a consistent number of sheets reliably, preventing buckling and incomplete penetration even when the maximum recommended sheets are inserted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the energy parameter by converting elastic potential energy from the compressed spring into kinetic energy during the stapling action. This energy transformation provides consistent driving force that maintains reliable staple penetration across varying sheet thicknesses within the designed capacity, preventing both buckling and incomplete stapling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If significant force is applied to drive the staple through multiple sheets, then the staple penetrates the sheets, but the sheets of paper or the stapler may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of sheets stapledVSAvoiddamage to sheets or stapler

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spring is compressed in advance during the loading phase, storing elastic potential energy without applying damaging force to the sheets or stapler components. When the trigger is pulled, this pre-stored energy is released to drive the staple through the sheets, eliminating the need for continuous high user force that could cause damage to paper or mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The stapler operates in periodic cycles of loading (spring compression) and firing (energy release). During the loading phase, force is applied gradually to compress the spring without damaging components. During the firing phase, the stored energy is released in a controlled, periodic manner to drive the staple, preventing continuous high-force application that could cause damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 stapler effectively reduces the force required to staple multiple sheets by utilizing stored energy, minimizing the risk of jamming and damage, allowing for efficient stapling of larger stacks without buckling or incomplete staples.

Implementation Method 1

a compression spring coupled to both the back end of the striker lever and the back end of the top lever that biases the back ends of the striker lever and the top lever apart from one another

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9446508B2Stored energy stapler

Publication Date: 2016.09.20 ACCO BRANDS CORP

AI summary

A stored energy stapler includes a base portion and a first lever pivotally coupled to the base portion. The first lever includes a front end and a back end. The stapler also includes a second lever pivotally coupled to the base portion about a pivot point, the second lever having a front end and a back end, and a striker element at the front end for driving a staple out of the stapler. The stapler also includes a biasing member coupled to both the first lever and the second lever that biases the back ends of the first and second levers apart from one another. The pivot point is disposed between the striker element and the biasing member.