Variable thickness set compensation for stapler
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsNelson K. Arter, Michael A. Bartholet, Roger D. Emeigh, Marion J. Herman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A stapler mechanism for fastening variable thickness documents includes a stack receiving receptacle disposed between the head/hammer assembly and the clinching or anvil assembly of said stapler. A sensing device is coupled to the stapler mechanism and generates control pulses indicative of relative motion between the head/hammer assembly. A controller processes the signals and generates control signals which vary the stroke and the force driving the hammer and returns the head/hammer assembly to its home position following a stapling cycle.
Claims11
In a stapling device having an anvil means for accumulating and supporting a stack of sheets and head means and coacting driver means for driving a staple into the stack, the improvement comprising:
- sensor means coupled to the head means and the driver means for supplying control signals representative of relative motion therebetween;
- and
- controller means responsive to said control signals for driving the head means and driver means bidirectionally with variable force.
An improved stapling apparatus comprising:
- anvil means for supporting a stack of sheets to be stapled;
- light emitting means with light receiving sensor means mounted to the anvil;
- stapler head means for carrying a supply of staples disposed opposite the anvil;
- driver means operably associated with the head means and movable therewith;
- first light shutter means having a plurality of alternating opaque and transparent lines and mounted to the head means for moving together therewith between said light emitting means and said sensor means;
- second light shutter means having a plurality of alternate opaque and transparent lines and mounted to the driver means for moving together therewith between said light emitting means and said sensor means;
- motor means for driving said driver means so that a plurality of pulses is generated by the sensor when there is relative motion between the first and second light shutter means;
- and
- control means responsive to said pulses for energizing the motor means.
In an electrophotographic copying system having a copier engine for generating copy sheets, a sheet handling device for presenting sheets of original documents to the viewing platen of said copier engine, a finishing device for collating and stapling the copy sheets to form predetermined sets, as improved stapling device for use with the finishing device comprising:
- means for accumulating a set of copy sheets;
- head means and driver means for driving a staple into the stack;
- force means for applying a variable force to the head and driver means;
- sensor means for generating pulses representative of relative motion between the head means and said driver means;
- and
- controller means responsive to the signals for controlling the force means.
Stapling apparatus for fastening stacks of variable numbers of sheets comprising in combination:
- accumulator means for receiving and supporting a plurality of sheets;
- staple supply means disposed adjacent to said accumulator means;
- driver means associated with the staple supply means for forcing a staple therefrom into said stacks;
- force means for driving said driver means;
- sensing means associated with the staple supply means and driver means for generating electrical pulses representative of relative motion therebetween;
- and
- controller means responsive to said pulses for controlling said force means to supply a force to said driver means proportional to the thickness of said stacks.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.