SHEET PROCESSING APPARATUS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

5 [000l]
The present invention relates a sheet processing apparatus that processes a sheet by a
user operation.

10 [0002]
JP-A-2002-028877 discloses a stapler having a so-called boosting mechanism for
reducing a load that is required for an operation.
[0003]
In the conventional boosting mechanism, a rear end of a clincher arm having a clincher
15 for bending a staple is provided with a rotating fulcrum of a driver arm having a driver for driving
the staple. A rotating fulcrum of a handle that is operated is provided at the front of the rotating
fulcrum of the driver arm. The handle and the driver arm are connected by a shaft and a hole at the
front of the rotating fulcrum of the handle.
[0004]
2 0 The hole into which the shaft connecting the handle and the driver arm is inserted has an
elongated shape and a difference between rotating trajectories of the handle and the driver arm is
absorbed. The rotating fulcrums of the handle and the driver arm are not displaced and a positional
relation of the respective fulcrums is fixed. Therefore, a leverage is not changed from an early
driving stage to a driving completion of the staple and a reduction rate (boosting rate) of the load is
2 5 constant through an entire stroke of the handle while.
[0005]
In the boosting mechanism of the conventional sheet processing apparatus such as
stapler, the reduction rate of the load is constant from the starting of the processing to the
completion thereof. When the load necessary for the operation is constant, it is possible to obtain a
3 0 desired load over an entire area of a moveable range within which an operation member such as
handle to be operated can be displaced, even though the reduction rate of the load is made to be
constant.
[0006]
However, when the load necessary for the operation is changed, if the reduction rate of
3 5 the load is constant, the load is lowered with the constant reduction rate even in an area in which the
@ load reduction is not required. As a result, an operation amount of the operation member is
increased. Thereby, a size of the apparatus in a height direction is increased.
[0007]
When the operation amount of the operation member is increased by increasing the size
5 of the apparatus in the height direction, it is difficult for a woman having a small hand, for example,
to use a stapler that is used with being gripped by a hand, because the stapler does not fit into the
hand. Also, a user cannot actually perform the driving operation with a desktop type stapler at a
sitting natural posture. Hence, the user should perform the operation with standing, so that the
convenience of the operator is deteriorated.
10
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[OOOS]
One or more embodiments provide a sheet processing apparatus in which a reduction
ratio of a load is changed depending on the load necessary for an operation.
15 [0009]
According to embodiments, it is possible to change a reduction ratio of a load depending
on the load necessary for an operation. Therefore, in an area where the load necessary for the
operation is low, the reduction ratio of the load may be made to be small, thereby increasing a
moving amount of the operation member. In an area where the load necessary for the operation is
2 0 high, the reduction ratio of the load may be made to be large.
[OO 1 01
Thereby, it is possible to reduce the load necessary for the operation with a desired
reduction rate over an entire area of a moveable range of the operation member without increasing
an operation amount of the operation member beyond necessity. Since it is possible to suppress the
25 operation amount of the operation member, it is possible to prevent the apparatus from being
enlarged and to improve the operational feeling.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00 1 91
3 o FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a detailed internal configuration of a stapler
according to an exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing an internal configuration of the stapler of the
exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the stapler of the exemplary embodiment with a cover being
35 removed.
6 FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing an internal configuration of the stapler of the
exemplary embodiment with the cover being removed.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the stapler according to
the exemplary embodiment.
, 5 FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the stapler according to
I
the exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a partially broken perspective view showing an internal configuration of the
I stapler according to the exemplary embodiment.
I
FIG. 8 is a side view showing an outward appearance of the stapler according to the
I
1 o exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the outward appearance of the stapler according to
the exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the outward appearance of the stapler according
to the exemplary embodiment.
15 FIGS. 1 l(a) to 1 l(c) illustrate an example of a staple that is used in the stapler of the
exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a lower handle unit of
the exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a clincher unit of the
2 0 exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of an upper handle unit of
the exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a front view showing an example of a clincher unit.
FIG. 16 is a plan view of main parts showing an example of the clincher unit.
FIG. 17 is a side view of main parts showing an example of the clincher unit.
FIG. 18 is an outward perspective view showing an example of the clincher unit.
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of main parts showing a configuration of holding the
clincher unit at a standby position.
FIG. 20 is a side view of main parts showing a configuration of holding the clincher unit
3 0 at the standby position.
FIGS. 21 (a) to 2 1(c) are configuration views showing an example of a partition plate for
holding clinchers.
FIG. 22 is a side sectional view of main parts showing an example of a magazine.
FIG. 23 is a plan view of main parts showing an example of the magazine.
FIGS. 24(a) and 24(b) are perspective views of main parts showing an example of a
staple guide.
FIG. 25 is a side sectional view of main parts showing a state where the staple guide is
attached to the magazine.
FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing an example of a staple holder.
FIG. 27 is a side view showing an example of the staple holder.
FIG. 28 is a side sectional view of main parts showing a state where the staple holder is
attached to the magazine.
FIGS. 29(a) and 29(b) are front sectional views showing an attachment example of the
staple holder.
10 FIGS. 30(a) and 30(b) are side sectional views showing an attachment example of the
staple holder.
FIGS. 31(a) and 31(b) are side sectional views showing an example of a lock
mechanism.
FIG. 32 is a plan sectional view of main parts showing an example of the lock
15 mechanism.
FIGS. 33(a) and 33(b) are configuration views showing an example of a driver.
FIG. 34 is a side view showing an example of a boosting mechanism that reduces an
operation load in a handle unit.
FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing an example of a front cover.
FIGS. 36(a) to 36(c) are side sectional views showing an operation of binding sheets by
the stapler of the exemplary embodiment.
FIGS. 37(a) to 37(c) are perspective views showing an operation of binding sheets by the
stapler of the exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 38 is a side view showing an example of an operation of the boosting mechanism
2 5 that reduces the operation load in the handle unit.
FIG. 39 is a side view showing an example of an operation of the boosting mechanism
that reduces the operation load in the handle unit.
FIG. 40 is a side view showing an example of an operation of the boosting mechanism
that reduces the operation load in the handle unit.
3 0 FIG. 41 is a side view showing an example of an operation of the boosting mechanism
that reduces the operation load in the handle unit.
FIG. 42 illustrates an example of a reduction rate of a load.
FIG. 43 illustrates an example of the reduction rate of the load.
FIG. 44 illustrates an example of the reduction rate of the load.
FIG. 45 is a graph showing an example of a change in the reduction rate of the load.
0 FIG. 46 illustrates an example of an operation of driving the staple in the stapler of the
exemplary embodiment.
FIGS. 47(a) and 47(b) illustrate an example of an operation of driving the staple in the
stapler of the exemplary embodiment.
5 FIGS. 48(a) and 48(b) illustrate an example of an operation of driving the staple in the
stapler of the exemplary embodiment.
1 FIGS. 49(a) and 49(b) are perspective views showing a modified embodiment of a leg
guide part of the exemplary embodiment.
FIGS. 50(a) and 50(b) are perspective views showing a modified embodiment of the leg
I 1 o guide part of the exemplary embodiment.
I
i
I FIG. 51 is a perspective view showing a modified embodiment of the leg guide part of
!
i the exemplary embodiment.
I
! FIG. 52 illustrates an example of an operation of the staple holder in the stapler of the
I
exemplary embodiment. I
1 15 FIG. 53 illustrates an example of an operation of the staple holder in the stapler of the
I
I exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 54 illustrates an example of an operation of the staple holder in the stapler of the
exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 55 illustrates an example of an operation of the staple holder in the stapler of the
2 0 exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 56 illustrates an example of an operation of a staple holder in a stapler of the related
art.
FIG. 57 illustrates an example of an operation of the staple holder in the stapler of the
related art.
2 5 FIG. 58 illustrates an example of an operation of the staple holder in the stapler of the
related art.
FIG. 59 is a perspective view showing an example of a staple holder having a
conventional elastic claw.
FIG. 60 is a graph showing stress that is applied to the staple holder of the exemplary
3 o embodiment and to the staple holder of the related art.
FIG. 6 1 is a perspective view showing a modified embodiment of the staple holder of the
exemplary embodiment.
FIGS. 62(a) and 62(b) are sectional views showing a modified embodiment of the staple
holder of the exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 63 is a perspective view showing another modified embodiment of the staple holder
of the exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 64 is a perspective view showing another modified embodiment of the staple holder
of the exemplary embodiment.
FIGS. 65(a) to 65(c) are side views of main parts showing an example of an operation of
5 a slider.
FIGS. 66(a) to 66(c) are side sectional views showing an operation of binding sheets by
a stapler of a modified embodiment.
FIGS. 67(a) and 67(b) illustrate an example of an operation of the clincher unit.
FIGS. 68(a) and 68(b) illustrate an example of an operation of the clincher unit.
10 FIGS. 69(a) to 69(c) illustrate an example of an operation of the clincher unit.
FIG. 70 is an exploded perspective view showing a modified embodiment of the clincher
unit.
FIGS. 71(a) to 71(c) illustrate an example of an operation of the clincher unit of the
modified embodiment.
15
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[OO 1 21
A stapler of binding sheets will be described with reference to the drawings, as an
exemplary embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus of the invention. FIG. 1 is a side sectional
2 0 view showing a detailed internal configuration of a stapler according to an exemplary embodiment,
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing an internal configuration of the stapler of the exemplary
embodiment, FIG. 3 is a side view of the stapler of the exemplary embodiment with a cover being
removed and FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing an internal configuration of the stapler of the
exemplary embodiment with the cover being removed.
25 [0013]
FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views showing an internal configuration of the stapler
according to the exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a partially broken perspective view showing
an internal configuration of the stapler according to the exemplary embodiment. Also, FIG. 8 is a
side view showing an outward appearance of the stapler according to the exemplary embodiment
3 0 and FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views showing an outward appearance of the stapler according
to the exemplary embodiment. Also, FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a staple that is used in the
stapler of the exemplary embodiment.
[00 141
A stapler 1A of an exemplary embodiment has a boosting mechanism reducing a load
3 5 that is necessary for an operation of binding sheets and is configured to stepwise switch a reduction
rate of the load in each process of the sheet binding operation so that the load is fitted for the
operation.
[00 1 51
First, a staple that can be used in the stapler 1A of the exemplary embodiment is
described with reference to FIG. 11. A staple 10L having long legs shown in FIG. 1 l(a) is an
example of the first staple, and it is assumed that it can bind about 80 sheets, as the maximum
number of sheets to be bound. Also, a staple 10s having short legs shown in FIG. 1 l(b) is an
example of the second staple, and it is assumed that it can bind about 40 sheets, as the maximum
number of sheets to be bound.
[00 161
The staple 10L has a staple crown lOLa and two legs lOLb that are bent to be
substantially parallel from both ends of the staple crown lOLa in one direction. A plurality of the
staples 10L is integrated by bonding, thereby configuring a bundle of staples. The staple 10s also
has a staple crown lOSa and two legs lOSb that are bent to be substantially parallel from both ends
of the staple crown lOSa in one direction. A plurality of the staples 10s is integrated by bonding,
thereby configuring a bundle of staples.
[00 171
When a thickness of one standard sheet is 0.09 mm, the 80 sheets have a thickness of
about 7.2 mm. Hence, the staple 10L is configured so that a length LlL of the legs lOLb is 10.0 mm
so as to enable the legs lOLb to penetrate and clinch about 80 sheets.
[OO 1 81
For a stable having a leg length smaller than a half of a staple crown width, when binding
two sheets that are the smallest number of sheets to be bound, leading ends of both legs do not
overlap with each other. However, when the leg is lengthened, the width of the staple crown is also
widened, so that an outward appearance is poor.
[00 1 91
Therefore, for a staple having a leg length equal to or larger than a half of a staple crown
width, two legs are bent so that they are slightly offset in a front-rear direction orthogonal to the
staple crown. Thereby, even when binding two sheets P that are the smallest number of sheets to be
bound, the two legs do not overlap each other.
[0020]
In the meantime, if a leg length is equal to or larger than a staple crown width, when
binding two sheets P that are the smallest number of sheets to be bound, leading ends of the legs
more protrude outward in a width direction than the staple crown on a surface of the sheet, so that
the outward appearance is poor.
[002 11
Therefore, the staple 10L is configured so that a length of the leg lOLb is equal to or
smaller than a width of the staple crown 10La. In the exemplary embodiment, an outer size L2L of
the staple crown lOLa is about 11.4 mm. The length of the leg lOLb is configured to be
substantially equal to or smaller than the outer size of the staple crown 10La. Thus, even when
binding two sheets P that are the smallest number of sheets to be bound, the leading ends of the legs
10Lb do not more protrude outward in the width direction than the staple crown 10La on the surface
of the sheet P.
[0022]
The staple 10s is configured so that a length L1S of the legs lOSb is 6.0 mm so as to
enable the legs lOSb to penetrate and clinch about 40 sheets. Also, an outer size L2S of the staple
crown lOSa is about 11.4 rnm, considering the compatibility with the staple 10L. Here, the sizes of
the respective staples are exemplary. That is, the other sizes may be also adopted insomuch as the
lengths of the legs are different and the staple has the compatibility between the different legs.
[0023]

Subsequently, an example of the stapler 1A of the exemplary embodiment is described
with reference to the respective drawings. The stapler 1A of the exemplary embodiment has a
lower handle unit 1 la and an upper handle unit 1 lb. In this example, the stapler is used in a form of
pressing the upper handle unit 1 lb with the lower handle unit 1 la being put on an operation place
such as desk.
[0024]
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the lower handle unit of
the exemplary embodiment and FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a
clincher unit of the exemplary embodiment. The lower handle unit 1 la has a clincher unit 2A that
bends the legs lOLb of the staple 1OL or the legs lOSb of the staple 10s having penetrated the sheets
and a slider 3 that performs lock and lock release at a standby position of the clincher unit 2A. Also,
the lower handle unit 1 la has a lower handle frame 4 to which the clincher unit 2A and the slider 3
are attached.
[0025]
FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the upper handle unit of
the exemplary embodiment. The upper handle unit 1 lb has a magazine unit 5 in which both the
staples 10L having long legs and the staples 10s having short legs can be loaded and any one type of
the staples 10L and the staples 10s is selectively loaded.
[0026]
ib Also, the upper handle unit 1 lb has a driver unit 6 that drives the staples 10L or staples
10s accommodated in the magazine unit 5. Also, the upper handle unit 1 lb has a handle unit 7 that
applies a force of driving the staples 10L or staples 10s accommodated in the magazine unit 5 to the
driver unit 6.
5 [0027]

FIG. 15 is a front view showing an example of the clincher unit, FIG. 16 is a plan view of
main parts showing an example of the clincher unit, FIG. 17 is a side view of main parts showing an
example of the clincher unit and FIG. 18 is an outward perspective view showing an example of the
10 clincher unit.
[0028]
Also, FIG. 19 is a perspective view of main parts showing a configuration of holding the
clincher unit at a standby position, and FIG. 20 is a side view of main parts showing a configuration
of holding the clincher unit at the standby position. Also, FIG. 21 is a configuration view showing
15 an example of a partition plate for holding a clincher.
[0029]
In the below, a configuration of the clincher unit 2A is described with reference to the
respective drawings. The clincher unit 2A is an example of the leg bending means and has a pair of
clinchers 20L, 20R that bends the legs lOLb of the staple 10L or the legs lOSb of the staple 10s
2 0 having penetrated the sheets and a clincher holder 2 1 that supports the clincher 20L and the clincher
20R.
[0030]
The clincher unit 2A has a configuration of bending the legs lob of the staple 10 or the
legs lOSb of the staple 10s by rotating operations of the clincher 20L and the clincher 20R. The
2 5 clincher unit 2A moves the clincher 20L and the clincher 20R in an approaching direction thereof,
as movement of starting to bend the legs lOLb or legs lOSb, thereby applying a force of bending the
legs 1 OLb or legs 1 OSb inward.
[003 11
To this end, the clincher unit 2A has a pair of clincher links 22L, 22R serving as a
3 o clincher driving mechanism that guides a movement of the clincher holder 21 in an ascent and
descent direction and guides a rotation and a movement of the clinchers 20L, 20R in
separatinglcontacting directions. Also, the clincher unit 2A has a clincher support part 23 that
pushes up the clinchers 20L, 20R by an ascent and descent operation of the clincher holder 2 1.
[0032]
Also, the clincher unit 2A has a clincher frame 24 that rotatably supports the clincher
(( links 22L, 22R and guides the movement of the clincher holder 21 having the clinchers 2OL, 20R
attached thereto in the ascent and descent direction. Also, the clincher unit 2A has a return spring
25 that pushes up the clincher holder 2 1 and a partition plate 26 that partitions the clincher 20L and
the clincher 20R therebetween and holds directions of the clinchers 20L, 20R.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 16, the clincher unit 2A is arranged so that positions of the clincher
20L and the clincher 20R are offset in a left-right direction along the staple crown lOLa of the staple
10L and the staple crown 10Sa of the staple 10s and in a front-rear direction orthogonal to the staple
crowns lOLa, 10Sa.
[0034]
The clincher 20L is disposed to face one leg 10Lb of the staple 10L and one leg 10Sb of
the staple 10s. The clincher 20L is formed on an upper surface facing the legs lOLb, lOSb with a
clincher surface 20La that is inclined in a downward direction toward the clincher 20R arranged to
be offset in the front-rear direction, as shown in FIG. 17. Also, the clincher 20L is formed with a
pressing surface 20Lb, which is pressed by the clincher support part 23, on a lower surface of one
end portion facing the clincher support part 23.
[0035]
The clincher 20L is configured so that the other end portion thereof is rotatably
supported to an upper end side of the clincher link 22L by a shaft 20Lc and is moveably supported
to the clincher holder 2 1 in rotating and horizontal directions.
[0036]
The clincher 20R is disposed to face the other leg lOLb of the staple 10L and the other
leg lOSb of the staple 10s. The clincher 20R is formed on an upper surface facing the legs lOLb,
lOSb with a clincher surface 20Ra that is inclined in a downward direction toward the clincher 20L
arranged to be offset in the fiont-rear direction, as shown in FIG. 17. Also, the clincher 20R is
formed with a pressing surface 20Rb, which is pressed by the clincher support part 23, on a lower
surface of one end portion facing the clincher support part 23.
[0037]
The clincher 20R is configured so that the other end portion thereof is rotatably
supported to an upper end side of the clincher link 22R by a shaft 20Rc and is moveably supported
to the clincher holder 2 1 in rotating and horizontal directions.
[003 81
The clincher holder 2 1 has a front holder 2 1 a and a rear holder 2 1 b along the front-rear
direction orthogonal to the staple crown lOLa of the staple 10L and the staple crown lOSa of the
staple 10s. In the clincher holder 21, the front holder 21a and the rear holder 21 b face each other so
@ that a space into which the clincher 2OL and the clincher 20R overlapping each other with the
partition plate 26 being interposed therebetween are inserted is formed. In this example, the
clincher holder 21 has the front holder 2 la and the rear holder 2 1b that are formed by bending a
plate material.
In the clincher holder 21, the front holder 21a and the rear holder 2 1b are formed with a
guide hole 21L into which the shaft 20Lc of the clincher 20L is inserted and a guide hole 21R into
which the shaft 20Rc of the clincher 20R is inserted. The guide hole 2 1L and the guide hole 21R are
long holes that extend in the horizontal direction along the separating/contacting directions of the
1 o clincher 20L and the clincher 20R.
[0040]
The clincher holder 21 rotatably supports the clincher 20L and moveably supports the
same in the separating/contacting directions with respect to the clincher 20R by inserting the shaft
20Lc of the clincher 20L into the guide hole 21L. Also, the clincher holder 21 rotatably supports
15 the clincher 20R and moveably supports the same in the separating/contacting directions with
respect to the clincher 20L by inserting the shaft 20Rc of the clincher 20R into the guide hole 21R.
[004 11
In the clincher holder 2 1, the rear holder 2 1 b that is positioned at the rear of the clinchers
20L, 20R and on which the slider 3 abuts is formed with bearing parts 2 1c to which the pushing up
2 0 force of the return spring 25 is applied. The bearing parts 21c are formed on lower surfaces of left
and right sides of the rear holder 21b and are pushed up from the lower by the abutting return spring
25.
100421
Also, in the clincher holder 2 1, the front holder 21a that is positioned at the front of the
25 clinchers 20L, 20R is formed with height restraint parts 21d restraining the movement by the
pushing up of the return spring 25. The height restraint parts 21d are formed to protrude laterally
from left and right sides of the front holder 2 1 a.
[0043]
The clincher link 22L is rotatably supported, at a lower end side thereof, to the clincher
3 0 frame 24 by the shaft 22La, and the clincher 20L is rotatably supported to an upper end side thereof
by the shaft 20Lc. The clincher 20L and the clincher link 22L are configured so that the shaft 20Lc
is moveably inserted into the guide hole 21L of the clincher holder 2 1 along the long hole shape of
the guide hole 2 1L.
The clincher link 22R is rotatably supported, at a lower end side thereof, to the clincher
frame 24 by the shaft 22Ra, and the clincher 20R is rotatably supported to an upper end side thereof
by the shaft 20Rc. The clincher 20R and the clincher link 22R are configured so that the shaft 20Rc
is moveably inserted into the guide hole 2 1 R of the clincher holder 2 1 along the long hole shape of
the guide hole 2 1R.
[0045]
Thereby, the clincher link 22L rotatably supports the clincher 20L and moves the
clincher 20L in the separating/contacting directions with respect to the clincher 20R by the ascent
and descent operation of the clincher holder 21. The clincher link 22R rotatably supports the
clincher 20R and moves the clincher 20R in the separatingkontacting directions with respect to the
clincher 20L by the ascent and descent operation of the clincher holder 21.
[0046]
The clincher support part 23 is introduced between the front holder 21a and the rear
holder 21b by the descent operation of the clincher holder 21 and is then attached to the clincher
frame 24 at a position of pressing the clincher 20L and the clincher 20R.
[0047]
The clincher frame 24 is configured so that the clincher link 22L is rotatably supported at
one side thereof in the left-right direction by the shaft 22La and the clincher link 22R is rotatably
supported at the other side thereof in the left-right direction by the shaft 22Ra.
[0048]
The clincher frame 24 has a clincher guide 24a that guides the ascent and descent
operation of the clincher holder 21. The clincher guide 24a has a width corresponding to the space
between the front holder 21a and the rear holder 21b of the clincher holder 21 and is provided
between the front holder 21a and the rear holder 21b. Thereby, while the forward and rearward
inclination of the clincher holder 2 1 is suppressed, the ascent and descent operation of the clincher
holder 2 1 is guided.
[0049]
The clincher link 22L and the clincher link 22R are supported at the upper end sides
thereof to the clincher holder 21 at an interval narrower than the lower end sides thereof supported
to the clincher frame 24. The clincher link 22L is rotated about the shaft 22La serving as a fulcrum
by the ascent and descent operation of the clincher holder 21 and the clincher link 22R is rotated
about the shaft 22Ra serving as a fulcrum by the ascent and descent operation of the clincher holder
21.
[OOSO]
By the ascent and descent operation of the clincher holder 21, the clincher link 22L and
the clincher link 22R are kept constant while the interval at the lower end sides between the shaft
22La and the shaft 22Ra is not changed. Compared to this, the interval at the upper end sides
between the shaft 22Lc and the shaft 22Rc is changed.
[005 11
That is, the clincher link 22L and the clincher link 22R are configured so that the interval
at the upper end sides is narrower than that at the lower end sides. Thereby, the clincher link 22L is
rotated about the shaft 22La serving as a hlcrum by the descent operation of the clincher holder 2 1
so that the upper end side thereof comes close to the clincher link 22R. Also, the clincher link 22R
is rotated about the shaft 22Ra serving as a fulcrum by the descent operation of the clincher holder
2 1 so that the upper end side thereof comes close to the clincher link 22L.
[0052]
Also, the clincher link 22L is rotated about the shaft 22La serving as a fulcrum by the
ascent operation of the clincher holder 2 1 so that the upper end side becomes more distant from the
clincher link 22R. Also, the clincher link 22R is rotated about the shaft 22Ra serving as a hlcrum
by the ascent operation of the clincher holder 21 so that the upper end side becomes more distant
from the clincher link 22L.
[0053]
By the descent operation of the clincher holder 21, in the clincher link 22L, the shaft
20Lc is moved along the guide hole 21L, and in the clincher link 22R, the shaft 20Rc is moved
along the guide hole 21R, so that the interval between the shaft 20Lc and the shaft 20Rc is narrowed.
Hence, by the descent operation of the clincher holder 2 1, the clincher 20L and the clincher 20R are
moved in the approaching direction each other.
[0054]
Also, by the ascent operation of the clincher holder 21, in the clincher link 22L, the shaft
20Lc is moved along the guide hole 21L, and in the clincher link 22R, the shaft 20Rc is moved
along the guide hole 2 lR, so that the interval between the shaft 20Lc and the shaft 20Rc is widened.
Hence, by the ascent operation of the clincher holder 21, the clincher 20L and the clincher 20R are
moved in the getting away direction each other.
[0055]
In the below, a configuration of holding the clincher unit at the standby position is
described with reference to the respective drawings. The return spring 25 consists of a torsion coil
spring, in this example, and a front end side that is one end portion is fixed to the clincher frame 24.
Also, as shown in FIG. 20, the return spring 25 is configured so that one end portion at the rear end
side abuts on one bearing 21c of the rear holder 21b of the clincher holder 21 and the other end
portion at the rear end side thereof abuts on the other bearing 2 lc of the rear holder 2 Ib.
[0056]
As shown in FIG. 19, the clincher holder 2 1 is configured so that the one height restraint
part 21d of the front holder 21a abuts on the shaft 22La supporting the clincher link 22L to the
clincher frame 24. Also, the clincher holder 21 is configured so that the other height restraint part
21d of the front holder 21a abuts on the shaft 22Ra supporting the clincher link 22R to the clincher
frame 24.
[0057]
Thereby, in the clincher holder 21, the substantially uniform force is applied to the
bearing parts 21c at the left and right sides by the return spring 25, so that the rear holder 21b is
pushed up. Also, the height restraint parts 2 1 d at the left and right sides restrain the front holder 2 1 a
from being pushed up and moved due to the return spring 25.
[005S]
In the clincher holder 21, the rear holder 21 b positioned at the rear of the clinchers 20L,
20R is pushed up by the return spring 25 and the front holder 21a positioned at the front of the
clinchers 20L, 20R is restrained from moving upward by the shafts 22La, 22Ra.
[0059]
Thereby, the clincher holder 2 1 having the clinchers 20L, 20R attached thereto keeps a
state thereof where it is inclined forward at the standby state where the clincher holder is pushed up
by the return spring 25. Meanwhile, in the exemplary embodiment, the return spring 25 is disposed
at the front of the clincher unit 2A. However, a configuration is also possible in which the return
spring is disposed at the rear of the clincher unit 2A and the force is applied to the rear holder 2 lb.
[0060]
In the below, a configuration of holding the clinchers 20L, 20R at the standby state is
described with reference to the respective drawings. The partition plate 26 has a shaft bearing part
26La into which the shaft 20Lc of the clincher 20L is inserted and a shaft bearing part 26Ra into
which the shaft 20Rc of the clincher 20R is inserted.
[006 11
The partition plate 26 is inserted between the clincher 20L and the clincher 20R and is
supported to the shaft 20Lc and the shaft 20Rc. The shaft bearing parts 26La, 26Ra are configured
by long hole shapes corresponding to the movement of the shafts 20Lc, 20Rc accompanied by the
movement of the clinchers 20L, 20R in the separatinglcontacting direction.
[0062]
The partition plate 26 has a partition part 26b protruding upward from the clincher
surface 20La of the clincher 20L and the clincher surface 20Ra of the clincher 20R at the standby
state. Also, the partition plate 26 has a spring part 26Lc bent toward the clincher 20L and a spring
part 26Rc bent toward the clincher 20R.
LOO631
A side surface of the clincher 20L is pressed by the spring part 26Lc of the partition plate
26 and a side surface of the clincher 20R is pressed by the spring part 26Rc of the partition plate 26,
so that the clincher 20L and the clincher 20R are held with respect to the directions at the standby
5 state.
[0064]

Subsequently, a configuration of the lower handle unit 1 la is described with reference to
the respective drawings. In the lower handle unit 1 la, the lower handle fame 4 consists of a plate
1 o and the like. In the lower handle frame 4, the clincher frame 24 configuring the clincher unit 2A is
attached to the front. Also, in the lower handle frame 4, the slider 3 is attached to the rear of the
clincher unit 2A. Also, the lower handle frame 4 is formed with an upper handle attachment part 40
to which the upper handle unit 1 lb is attached.
[0065]
15 The slider 3 is formed with an engaging part 30 at the front side facing the clincher unit
2A and with a link bearing part 31 at the rear side. The slider 3 is configured to slide in the
front-rear direction, is attached to the lower handle frame 4 and is pressed by a spring (not shown),
so that it is moved forward up to a position at which the rear holder 21b of the clincher holder 21
I I configuring the clincher unit 2A is put on the engaging part 30. Also, as the slider 3 is moved
2 0 rearward, the engaging part 30 is separated from the rear holder 2 1 b of the clincher holder 2 1.
[0066]
In the lower handle unit 1 la, a lower handle cover 41 having a shape covering the lower
handle fiame 4 is attached to the lower handle fiame 4 to which the clincher unit 2A and the slider 3
are attached.
25 [0067]
Also, in the lower handle unit 1 la, a clincher cover 42 covering the clincher unit 2A is
attached to the lower handle cover 41. The clincher cover 42 has an opening through which the
clincher 20L and the clincher 20R configuring the clincher unit 2A, the partition plate 26 interposed
between the clinchers 20L, 20R and the clincher holder 2 1 having the clinchers 20L, 20R attached
30 thereto are exposed. The clincher cover 42 is configured to ascend and descend as the clincher
holder 21 ascends and descends and is attached to the lower handle cover 41.
[0068]
Also, in the lower handle unit 1 la, a sheet guide 43 that restrains a position of a sheet is
attached to the lower handle cover 41. The sheet guide 43 is configured to slide in the front-rear
3 5 direction and is attached to the lower handle cover 41. The sheet collides with the sheet guide 43, so
that a position to be bound by the staples 10L, 10s is adjusted.
[0069]

In the below, a configuration of the magazine unit 5 is described with reference to the
respective drawings. The magazine unit 5 is an example of the accommodation means and has a
magazine 50 in which both the staples 10L having long legs and the staples 10s having short legs
can be loaded and any one type of the staples 1OL and the staples 10s is selectively loaded.
[0070]
Also, the magazine unit 5 has a magazine guide 5 1 that accommodates the magazine to
be withdrawn so as to load the staples 10L or staples 10s. The magazine guide 5 1 has opened front,
upper and rear surfaces, so that a space in which the magazine 50 is accommodated to be withdrawn
from the front surface is formed.
[007 11
The magazine unit 5 has a staple guide 52 that guides the loading of the staples 10L or
staples 10s and the moving of the loaded staples 10L or staples 10s and applies a shear force for
separating the staples 10L or staples 10s one by one. Also, the magazine unit 5 has a staple holder
53 that holds a shape of the one separated staple 10L or staple 10s to be driven by the driver unit 6.
[0072]
Also, the magazine unit 5 has a lock mechanism 54 that locks and unlocks the magazine
50 that is accommodated to be withdrawn with regard to the magazine guide 51. Also, the
magazine unit 5 has a pusher 55 that presses forward the staples 10L or staples 10s loaded in the
magazine 50, a pusher spring 55a that presses the pusher 55 and a spring guide 56 that guides the
pusher spring 55a.
[0073]
Also, the magazine unit 5 has a guide cover 57 that guides the movement of the
magazine 50 in the accommodation and withdrawal directions and also guides the staple 10L or
staple 10s pushed by the pusher 55 together with the staple guide 52.
[0074]
The pusher 55 and the pusher spring 55a are examples of the staple pressing means. The
pusher 55 is attached so that it can be moved in the front-rear direction along the staple guide 52 at
the inside of the magazine 50 accommodated in the magazine guide 51. The guide cover 57 is
attached on an upper surface of the magazine guide 5 1 and guides the movement of the magazine 50
in the accommodation and withdrawal directions together with the magazine guide 5 1. Also, the
guide cover guides the staples 10L or staples 10s pushed by the pusher 55 together with the staple
guide 52.
LOO751
The pusher spring 55a presses the pusher 55 toward a magazine front wall 50a of the
magazine 50. The pusher spring 55a is accommodated in the guide cover 57 and is connected to the
pusher 55 in a U-shaped arrangement by a spring guide 56 that is attached to a front end side of the
5 magazine guide 5 1, in this example.
[0076]

FIG. 22 is a side sectional view of main parts showing an example of the magazine
configuring the magazine unit of the exemplary embodiment and FIG. 23 is a plan view of main
10 parts showing an example of the magazine configuring the magazine unit of the exemplary
embodiment. In the below, a configuration of the magazine 50 is described with reference to the
respective drawings. Here, FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along a line A-A of FIG. 23.
[0077]
In this example, the magazine 50 has a predetermined shape by die-cutting and bending a
15 plate-shaped metal material with a press and the like, can load therein any type of the staples 10L
and the staples 10s and has a space having an opened upper surface.
I [0078]
I The magazine 50 is formed with an opening 50b through which one separated staple 10L
1 or staple 10s passes at a lower part of the magazine front wall 50a to which the loaded staples 10L
I
1 20 or staples 10s are pressed by the pusher 55 and the staple guide 52. Also, the magazine 50 is
I
i
configured so that an inner size of the opposing magazine sidewalls 50c is slightly larger than outer
I sizes of the staple crown lOLa of the staple 10L and the staple crown lOSa of the staple 10s.
I
[0079]
In the magazine 50, the magazine front walls 50a of the magazine 50 are configured by
25 bending inward leading end sides of side plates configuring the magazine sidewalls 50c. The
magazine front wall 50a is divided in the vicinity of the central portion in a width direction, so that
the magazine front wall 50a is formed with a recess portion 50as extending along the driving
direction of the staple 10L and the staple 10s.
[OOSO]
3 0
FIG. 24 is a perspective view of main parts showing an example of the staple guide and
FIG. 25 is a side sectional view of main parts showing a state where the staple guide is attached to
the magazine. In the below, a configuration of the staple guide 52 is described with reference to the
respective drawings.
35 [0081]
* The staple guide 52 is an example of the staple guide means and is attached to the inner
space of the magazine 50. A coil spring 50d is attached between the magazine 50 and the staple
guide 52, so that the staple guide 52 is pressed toward the magazine front wall 50a.
[0082]
5 The staple guide 52 is configured to be slightly narrower than the inner sizes of the staple
crown lOLa of the staple 10L and the staple crown lOSa of the staple 10s. A space into which the
legs lOLb of the staple 10L and the legs lOSb of the staple 10s can be inserted is formed between
the magazine sidewalls 50c and the staple guide 52.
[0083]
10 As shown in FIG. 23, the staple guide 52 has shear guide parts 52a that apply a shear
force for separating the staples 10L having long legs or the staples 10s having short legs one by one,
and pressing guide parts 52b that press the one separated staple 10L or staple 10s to the magazine
front wall 50a.
[0084]
15 Also, the staple guide 52 has first width guide parts 52c that guide the legs lOLb of the
staple 10L having long legs and the legs lOSb of the staple 10s having short legs in the width
I
I direction and second width guide parts 52d that mainly guide the legs lOSb of the staple 10s having
I short legs.
I [0085]
2 0 The shear guide part 52a is an example of the separation guide means and is formed by
I providing an inclined surface an interval t 1 wider than a line width tsl of one staple 10L and staple
I
10s and narrower than a line width of two staples 10L, 10s between a front end upper surface of the
I staple guide 52 and the magazine front wall 50a.
[0086]
2 5 When the staples 10L or staples 10s are loaded into the magazine 50, the staple 10L or
staple 10s of the front end is applied with the pressing force by the pusher 55 and is thus pressed to
the magazine front wall 50a.
[0087]
When the staples 10L or staples 10s are loaded into the magazine 50, the staple crown
3 0 1 OLa or staple crown 1 OSa of the staple 10L or staple 10S, which follows the staple 10L or staple
10s of the front end that is driven by the driver unit 6, is put on the upper surface of the staple guide
52.
[0088]
Thereby, a position of the one staple 10L or staple 10S, which is just next to the staple
3 5 10L or staple 10s of the front end that is driven by the driver unit 6, is restrained in the driving
direction.
[0089]
When any one type of the staples 10L having long legs 10Lb and the staples 10s having
short legs 10s is loaded in the magazine 50, the staple crowns lOLa or staple crowns lOSa are put
on the upper surface of the staple guide 52. Therefore, the shear force for separating the staples 10L
or staples 10s one by one is applied.
[0090]
The pressing guide part 52b is configured by a front end surface of the staple guide 52
that is connected to a lower end of the shear guide part 52a, and a predetermined interval t2 is
formed between the pressing guide part 52b and the magazine front wall 50a at a state where a front
end of the first width guide part 52c abuts on the magazine front wall 50a.
[009 11
The interval t2 between the pressing guide part 52b and the magazine front wall 50a is
configured to be slightly narrower than the line width of one staple 10L or staple 10s. By retreating
the staple guide 62, the one separated staple 10L or staple 10s passes between the pressing guide
part 52b and the magazine front wall 50a.
[0092]
The one separated staple 10L or staple 10s passing between the pressing guide part 52b
and the magazine front wall 50a is pressed to the magazine front wall 50a by the pressing guide part
52b as the staple guide 52 is urged toward the magazine front wall 50a by the coil spring 50d.
[0093]
Here, regarding a case where the staple 1OL having the long legs 10a as shown in FIG.
1 l(a) is used, a height t3 of the shear guide part 52a is set so that the staple crown lOLa is guided by
the pressing guide part 52b before the leading ends of the legs lob reach the sheet.
[0094]
The first width guide parts 52c are provided at lower ends of both left and right sides of
the front end side of the staple guide 52. The first width guide part 52c has a size that is slightly
smaller than the line width of the one staple 10L or staple 10S, and protrudes forward from a lower
end of the pressing guide part 52b, so that the pressing guide part 52b facing the magazine front wall
50a at the predetermined interval t2 therebetween is formed above the first width guide part 52c.
[0095]
The first width guide parts 52c protrude leftward and rightward from the staple guide 52
and are configured so that the outer size of the pair of first width guide parts 52c is the substantially
same as or slightly wider than the inner size of the staple crown lOLa, lOSa of the staple lOLS, 10s.
[0096]
* Thereby, when the staples 10L or staples 10s are loaded into the magazine 50 and are
separated and driven one by one, the inner sides of the legs lOLb of the staple 10L or legs lOSb of
the staple 10s abut on the second width guide parts 52d.
[0097]
The second width guide parts 52d are provided at central portions of both left and right
sides of the front end side of the staple guide 52 above the first width guide parts 52c in
correspondence to the legs lOSb of the staple 10s having short legs.
[0098]
The second width guide parts 52d protrude leftward and rightward from the staple guide
52 and are configured so that the outer size of the pair of second width guide parts 52d is the
substantially same as the inner size of the staple crown lOLa, lOSa of the staple 10L, 10s.
[0099]
Thereby, when the staples 10L or staples 10s are loaded into the magazine 50, the inner
sides of the legs lOLb or legs lOSb abut on the second width guide parts 52d at a state where the
staple guide 52 is advanced up to a position at which the first width guide parts 52c abut on the
magazine front wall 50a.
[O 1001
The magazine unit 5 has leg guide parts 52e that guide mainly the legs lOSb of the one
separated staple 10s having short legs toward the magazine front wall 50a as the staple 10s is
driven by the driver unit 6.
[OlOl]
The leg guide part 52 is an example of the leg guide means and is provided in the vicinity
of the first width guide part 52c of the staple 52, in this example. The leg guide part 52e has an
inclined surface that is provided on the inclined surface, which is formed between the first width
guide part 52c protruding leftward and rightward from the staple guide 52 and the staple guide 52,
and is inclined in the direction along which the outer sizes of the pair of left and right first width
guide parts 52c are gradually narrowed toward the front end side.
[O 1 021
Thereby, when the staples 10s having short legs are loaded in the magazine 50, even
though the leading ends of the legs lOSb before landing on the sheet flow rearward as the one
separated staple 10s is driven, the legs lOSb are guided toward the magazine front wall 50a by the
inclined surfaces of the leg guide parts 52e.
[0 1031

FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing an example of the staple holder, FIG. 27 is a side
view showing an example of the staple holder and FIG. 28 is a side sectional view of main parts
showing a state where the staple holder is attached to the magazine. In the below, a configuration of
the staple holder 53 is described with reference to the respective drawings.
[0 1041
5 The staple holder 53 is an example of the staple shape holding means and has a staple
crown guide part 53a that keeps a shape of the staple crown lOLa or staple crown lOSa of the one
separated staple 10L or staple 10S, depending on the type of the staples loaded in the magazine 50.
Also, the staple holder 53 has an attachment part 53b that is attached to a predetermined
constitutional element of the magazine 50, for example, the staple guide 52, in this example.
l o [0105]
The staple holder 53 is configured so that as the attachment part 53b is attached to a front
end portion of the staple guide 52, the staple crown guide part 53a is arranged between the pair of
left and right pressing guide parts 52b and the staple crown guide part 53a faces the magazine front
I wall 50a of the magazine 50.
I 15 [0106]
! 1 The staple holder 53 is made of an elastic material, in this example, a metal plate
!
I material having elasticity and has a spring part 53c that displaces the staple crown guide part 53a
1 mainly in the front-rear direction. In the staple holder 53, an upper end side of the staple crown
I
! guide part 53a, which becomes an upper side when the stapler 1A is configured as a desktop type, is
!
I 2 0 bent into a reverse U shape, so that the spring part 53c I is configured.
[0 1 071
In the staple holder 53, the staple crown guide part 53a extends from the spring part 53c
in the driving direction of the staple 10L and the staple 10s and the staple crown guide part 53a is
displaced in the front-rear direction, which is the separatinglcontacting direction with respect to the
2 5 magazine front wall 50a, by the elastic deformation of the spring part 53c.
[0108]
The staple holder 53 has a protrusion 53d that supports the vicinity of the central portion
of the staple crown 10La of the staple 10L in the longitudinal direction thereof or the vicinity of the
central portion of the staple crown lOSa of the staple 10s in the longitudinal direction thereof, from
3 0 a lower side thereof, as the one separated staple 1OL or staple 10s is driven.
[0 1 091
The staple holder 53 is provided with the protrusion 53d in the vicinity of the central
portion of the staple crown guide part 53a in the width direction, in correspondence to the recess
portion 50as of the magazine front wall 50a. The protrusion 53d protrudes from the vicinity of the
3 5 central portion of the staple crown guide part 53a along the driving direction of the staple 10L and
staple 10s to the front, which is the direction facing the magazine front wall 50a, toward a lower
end side of the staple crown guide part 53a.
[Ol lo]
In the exemplary embodiment, the protrusion 53d is configured by cutting the vicinity of
the central portion of the staple crown guide part 53a in the width direction from the lower end side
of the staple crown guide part 53a to thus form a predetermined tongue piece part having a
predetermined width narrower than the recess portion 50as of the magazine front wall 50a.
[Olll]
The staple holder 53 has connection parts 53e that transmit a load, which is applied to the
protrusion 53d, to the staple crown guide part 53a. The connection part 53e is configured so that
side surfaces of a base end side of the protrusion 53d abut on the staple crown guide part 53a, and
transmits the load that is applied to the protrusion 53d to the staple crown guide part 53a by a
frictional force and the like occurring between the base end side of the protrusion 53d and the staple
crown guide part 53a.
[0112]
Thereby, in the staple holder 53, the load that is applied to the protrusion 53d is
transmitted to the staple crown guide part 53a by the connection parts 53e and the protrusion 53d is
retreated mainly by the displacement of the staple crown guide part 53a due to the elastic
deformation of the spring part 53c.
[0113]
As shown in FIG. 28, the staple holder 53 is configured so that the staple crown guide
part 53a is inclined relative to the magazine front wall 50a in the direction along which the lower
end side of the staple crown guide part 53a protrudes forward relative to the upper end side of the
staple crown guide part 53a.
[0114]
The staple holder 53 is configured so that the gap between the staple crown guide part
53a and the magazine front wall 5Oa is narrowed along the driving direction of the staple 10L and
staple 10s. In this example, at a standby state before and after the staple 10L or staple 10s is driven,
the lower end side of the staple crown guide part 53a abuts on the magazine front wall 50a.
[0115]
Also, the staple holder 53 is configured so that the protrusion 53d is inclined relative to
the magazine front wall 50a and the staple crown guide part 53a in the direction along which the
lower end side of the protrusion 53d protrudes forward relative to the upper end side of the
protrusion 53d and the protrusion 53d enters the recess portion 50as of the magazine front wall 50a
at the above standby state.
* [01161
The staple guide 52 having the staple holder 53 attached thereto is retreated relative to
the magazine front wall 50a as the staple 10L or staple 10s passes between the pressing guide parts
52b and first width guide parts 52c and the magazine fiont wall 50a. Thereby, the staple holder 53
5 that is attached to the staple guide 52 by the attachment part 53b is also retreated relative to the
magazine front wall 50a as the staple guide 52 is retreated.
[0117]
In the staple holder 53, the inclinations and the like of the staple crown guide part 53a
and the protrusion 53d are set, taking into consideration the moving amount of the staple guide 52
10 that is retreated as the one separated staple 10L or staple 10s is driven.
[0118]
That is, regarding the displacement of the staple guide 52, the inclinations and the like of
the staple crown guide part 53a and the protrusion 53d are set so that a gap equal to or larger than the
line width of the one staple 10L or staple 10s is not formed between the protrusion 53d and the
15 magazine front wall 50a.
[0119]
Thereby, in the magazine 50 having the staple guide 52 and the staple holder 53 attached
thereto, the protrusion 53d can protrude into the moving path of the staple 10L or staple 10s that is
I
/ separated and driven one by one.
I i 20 [0120]
I
I When the staples 10L having long legs are loaded in the magazine 50, the protrusion 53d
I
of the staple holder 53 is mainly pressed by the staple crown lOLa of the staple 10L as the one
I
I separated staple 10L is driven. Likewise, when the staples 10s having short legs are loaded in the
magazine 50, the protrusion 53d of the staple holder 53 is mainly pressed by the staple crown 10Sa
25 of the staple 10s as the one separated staple 10s is driven.
[0121]
In the staple holder 53, when the load is applied to the protrusion 53d, the staple crown
guide part 53a is displaced in the retreating direction mainly by the elastic deformation of the spring
part 53c and the protrusion 53d is retreated by the displacement of the staple crown guide part 53a.
30 [0122]
Thereby, a gap through which the staple crown lOLa of the one separated staple 10L or
staple crown lOSa of the one separated staple 10s passes depending on the type of the staples
loaded in the magazine 50 is formed between the protrusion 53d and the magazine front wall 50a.
[0 1231
Also, as the one separated staple 10L is driven, the vicinity of the central portion of the
staple crown 10La of the staple 10L in the longitudinal direction thereof is supported from the lower
side thereof, which is an opposite direction to the driving direction of the staple 10L, by the
protrusion 53d that is displaced in the pushing-up direction by the restoring force of the spring part
53c.
[0 1241
Likewise, as the one separated staple 10s is driven, the vicinity of the central portion of
the staple crown lOSa of the staple 10s in the longitudinal direction thereof is supported from the
lower side thereof, which is an opposite direction to the driving direction of the staple 10S, by the
protrusion 53d that is displaced in the pushing-up direction by the restoring force of the spring part
53c.
[0 1251
Thereby, when the one separated staple 10L or staple 10s passes between the magazine
front wall 50a and the staple guide 52, the force of pushing-up the vicinity of the central portion of
the staple crown lOLa or staple crown lOSa in the longitudinal direction thereof is applied by the
protrusion 53d, so that the deformation of the staple crown lOLa or staple crown lOSa is
suppressed.
[0 1261
In the staple holder 53, the load that is applied to the protrusion 53d is transmitted to the
staple crown guide part 53a by the connection parts 53e and the protrusion 53d is retreated by the
displacement of the staple crown guide part 53a mainly due to the elastic deformation of the spring
part 53c. Therefore, the displacement of the protrusion 53d due to the elastic deformation is
suppressed, so that the load to be applied to the protrusion 53d is reduced.
[0 1271
FIG. 29 is front sectional views showing an attachment example of the staple holder and
FIG. 30 is side sectional views showing the attachment example of the staple holder. In the below,
a configuration of attaching the staple holder 53 to the staple guide 52 is described with reference to
the respective drawings. The staple holder 53 has an attachment protrusion part 53L that is formed
at one side of the attachment part 53b in the width direction and an attachment protrusion part 53R
that is formed at the other side.
[0128]
The staple holder 53 is preferably configured so that two or more are provided regarding
the one of the attaching convex part 53L and the attaching convex part 53R and one or more are
provided regarding the other. In this example, the attaching convex parts 53L and the attaching
convex parts 53R are symmetrically arranged at two locations of the respective left and right sides
of the staple holder 53 so that they protrude laterally.
[0 1291
The staple guide 52 is formed with an attaching opening 52L, into which the attaching
convex parts 53L of the staple holder 53 are inserted, at one side in the width direction and with an
attaching opening 52R, into which the attaching convex parts 53R of the staple holder 53 are
inserted, at the other side.
[0130]
The staple guide 52 and the staple holder 53 are configured so that the attaching convex
parts 53L, 53R of the staple holder 53 are inserted into the attaching openings 52L, 52R of the staple
guide 52 at predetermined insertion positions and the staple holder 53 is moved to a fixing position
to thus fix the staple holder 53 to the staple guide 52.
[0131]
To this end, the attaching opening 52L has insertion openings 52La into which the
attaching convex parts 53L of the staple holder 53 at the insertion position are inserted by an
operation of attaching the staple holder 53 to the staple guide 52.
[0 1321
Also, the attaching opening 52L has support convex parts 52Lb that support the
attaching convex parts 53L of the staple holder 53 at the fixing position by an operation of moving
the staple holder rearward with respect to the staple guide 52. Further, the attaching opening 52L
has a position restraint part 52Lc that restrains a position of the staple holder 53 at the fixing
position between the magazine front wall 50a of the magazine 50 and the staple holder 53.
101331
The attaching opening 52R has insertion openings 52Ra into which the attaching convex
parts 53R of the staple holder 53 at the insertion position are inserted by the operation of attaching
the staple holder 53 to the staple guide 52.
[0134]
Also, the attaching opening 52R has support convex parts 52Rb that support the
attaching convex parts 53R of the staple holder 53 at the fixing position by the operation of moving
the staple holder rearward with respect to the staple guide 52. Further, the attaching opening 52R
has a position restraint part 52Rc that restrains a position of the staple holder 53 at the fixing
position between the magazine front wall 50a of the magazine 50 and the staple guide.
[0135]
The attaching opening 52L has the insertion openings 52La that are formed at two
locations and the support convex parts 52Lb that are formed at three locations, in correspondence to
the arrangement of the two attaching convex parts 53L of the staple holder 53. The insertion
openings 52La and the support convex parts 52Lb are alternately arranged and connected in the
front-rear direction of the staple guide 52 and the position restraint part 52Lc is formed at a rear end
of the attaching opening 52L.
[0136]
Likewise, the attaching opening 52R has the insertion openings 52Ra that are formed at
two locations and the support convex parts 52Rb that are formed at three locations, in
correspondence to the arrangement of the two attaching convex parts 53R of the staple holder 53.
The insertion openings 52Ra and the support convex parts 52Rb are alternately arranged and
connected in the front-rear direction of the staple guide 52 and the position restraint part 52Rc is
formed at a rear end of the attaching opening 52R.
[0137]
The attaching opening 52L and the attaching opening 52R are formed so that the
insertion openings 52La and the insertion openings 52Ra and the support convex parts 52Lb and the
support convex parts 52Rb are symmetrically arranged in the upper-lower direction.
[0138]
A method of attaching the staple holder 53 is described. As shown in FIG. 29(a), the
staple holder 53 is inclined in the left-right direction at the insertion position so that the attaching
convex parts 53L, 53R are introduced between the left and right sidewalls of the staple guide 52.
Thereby, the attaching convex parts 53L are inserted into the insertion openings 52La of the
attaching opening 52L and the attaching convex parts 53R are inserted into the insertion openings
52Ra of the attaching opening 52R.
[0139]
The staple holder 53 having the attaching convex parts 53L inserted into the insertion
openings 52La and the attaching convex parts 53R inserted into the insertion openings 52Ra is
made to be substantially horizontal, as shown in FIG. 29(b), so that it can horizontally move
rearward.
[0 1401
When the staple holder 53 at the insertion position as shown in FIG. 30(a) is moved to
the fixing position as shown in FIG. 30(b), the attaching convex parts 53L, 53R are fitted into the
support convex pats 52Lb, 52Rb between the left and right attaching openings 52L, 52R, so that the
staple holder 53 is restrained from rotating in an inclining direction.
[0141]
When the staple guide 52 having the staple holder 53 attached thereto is attached to the
magazine 50 and the coil spring 50d is attached between the magazine 50 and the staple guide 52,
the staple guide 52 is pressed toward the magazine front wall 50a.
[0 1421

1^ What is claimed is:
1. A sheet processing apparatus comprising:
an operation member (70) that is rotated with a force applied irom an operator; and
an motion member (61) cormected to the operation member (70) via a connection part
5 (70c) to which the operation member (70) applies a force, the motion member (61) being rotated
with the force of the operation member (70) applied through the cormection part (70c), and the
motion member (61) applying force to an acting member (60) that processes a sheet,
wherein a fulcrum (O) of a rotating operation of the operation member (70) moves
depending on an operation of the operation member (70), so that a first length (LI) between the
10 fulcrum (O) and a part (El) at which the operation member (70) is applied with the force and a
second length (L2) between the fulcrum (O) and a part (E2) at which the force is applied from the
operation member (70) to the motion member (61) are changed, and a reduction rate (D) of a load
(F) applied to the operation member (70) is thus changed.
15 2. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the motion member (61) is
supported to be rotatable about a shaft (54f) and also is connected to the operation member (70) so
as to be relatively rotatable about the coimection part (70c),
wherein the operation member (70) is supported to be movable along a shape of a guide
part (70b), and
2 0 wherein the guide part (70b) has a shape that moves the fulcrum (O) in a direction in
which the first length (LI) and the second length (L2) are reduced as the operation member is
operated.
3. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the acting member
2 5 (60) is a driver (60) that drives a staple to the sheet, and
wherein the reduction rate (D) of the load (F) applied to the operation member (70) is set
for each of a plurality of processes that is included in an operation where the operation member (70)
is operated and thus the driver (60) drives the staple so as to bind the sheets.
3 0 4. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the reduction rate (D) of
the load (F) applied to the operation member (70) is set for each of a first process before a process of
separating one staple from a plurality of connected staples by a shearing, a second process of
separating the staple by the shearing, and a third process of enabling the staple to penetrate the
sheets.
35
- 7 5 -
M 5. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the reduction rate of the
load that is applied to the operation member in the second process is larger than the reduction rate of
the load that is applied to the operation member in the first process, and
wherein the reduction rate of the load that is applied to the operation member in the thu'd
5 process is larger than the reduction rate of the load that is applied to the operation member in the
second process.