Stapler with moveable strike plate and integrated accessibility features

A stapling device having a width running a length from a first end of the stapling device to an opposite second end of the stapling device, the stapling device comprising:

• a base running the length of the stapling device and comprising a stapling plane offset from the first end of the stapling device in a direction toward the second end of the stapling device, the stapling plane arranged orthogonal to the width of the stapling device and defining a path that staples follow when ejected from the stapling device;
• a carrier frame attached to a portion of the base, the carrier frame pivotally supporting a staple carrier, the staple carrier comprising a staple ejection area disposed in the stapling plane;
• a handle pivotally attached to the carrier frame, wherein the handle and the staple carrier pivotally move between an unactuated and an actuated state relative to the base;
• a staple forming block disposed at least partially in the stapling plane and attached to the base, wherein the staple forming block extends in a direction toward the carrier frame;
• and
• a dial attached to the base adjacent the first end of the stapling device, the dial rotatably moveable between a first staple forming position and a second staple forming position, the dial comprising:
• a cylindrical body comprising a first end surface and a second end surface disposed opposite the first end surface, wherein a recess extends into the cylindrical body from the second end surface in a direction toward the first end surface;
• an inward staple clearance slot extending through the first end surface and into the recess, wherein the inward staple clearance slot is arranged in the stapling plane when the dial is in the first staple forming position, and wherein the inward staple clearance slot is arranged outside of the stapling plane, when the dial is in the second staple forming position;
• and
• a pair of outward staple forming recesses disposed in the first end surface of the cylindrical body, the pair of outward staple forming recesses offset a distance from the inward staple clearance slot, wherein the pair of outward staple forming recesses are arranged in the stapling plane when the dial is in the second staple forming position, and wherein the pair of outward staple forming recesses are arranged outside of the stapling plane when the dial is in the first staple forming position.

A stapler, comprising:

• a base extending from a front of the stapler to a rear of the stapler, the base comprising a stapling plane offset from the front of the stapler, the stapling plane defining a staple ejection path;
• a carrier frame attached to a portion of the base, the carrier frame pivotally supporting a staple carrier, the staple carrier comprising a staple ejection area disposed in the stapling plane;
• a handle pivotally attached to the carrier frame, wherein the handle and the staple carrier pivotally move between an unactuated and an actuated state relative to the base, wherein the handle comprises a tray cavity extending a cavity length from an aperture disposed in the handle adjacent the rear of the stapler into the handle;
• a staple storage tray comprising a staple storage cavity, the staple storage tray slidably engaged with the tray cavity, wherein the staple storage tray is moveable between a stored position, where the staple storage cavity of the staple storage tray is disposed inside the handle, and an extended position, where the staple storage cavity of the staple storage tray is disposed at least partially outside of the handle;
• a dial attached to the base at the front of the stapler, the dial rotatably moveable between a first staple forming position and a second staple forming position, the dial comprising:
• a cylindrical body comprising a first end surface and a second end surface disposed opposite the first end surface, wherein a recess extends into the cylindrical body from the second end surface in a direction toward the first end surface;
• an inward staple clearance slot extending through the first end surface and into the recess, wherein the inward staple clearance slot is arranged in the stapling plane when the dial is in the first staple forming position, and wherein the inward staple clearance slot is arranged outside of the stapling plane, when the dial is in the second staple forming position;
• and
• a pair of outward staple forming recesses disposed in the first end surface of the cylindrical body, the pair of outward staple forming recesses offset a distance from the inward staple clearance slot, wherein the pair of outward staple forming recesses are arranged in the stapling plane when the dial is in the second staple forming position, and wherein the pair of outward staple forming recesses are arranged outside of the stapling plane when the dial is in the first staple forming position;
• a first group of staples disposed inside the staple carrier;
• and
• a second group of staples disposed inside the staple storage cavity of the staple storage tray, wherein the first group of staples are separate from the second group of staples.