Continuous fastener feed system
OwnerMarlan M. Lewisinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A staple feed system utilizing an inclined staple feed ramp for axial loading of staples into a staple gun under the influence of gravity. The inclined feed ramp includes an inclined upper linear portion, an upwardly curving arcuate central portion, and a horizontal lower portion permitting the continuous feed of staples beneath the actuation mechanism of the staple gun while the staple gun is disposed in a generally horizontal position. The angulated feed system may be utilized with staple racks comprising multiple staples adhered one to the other. The arcuate ramp is sized to permit the smooth movement of staples thereon, allowing the transfer of gravitational force to the staples contiguous the actuation mechanism for the uninterrupted feeding of staples thereto.
Claims23
A staple feeding system comprising:
- means for sequentially storing a plurality of staples;
- means for orienting said stored sequence of staples so that said staples automatically advance to a lead position due only to the force of gravity;
- means for dispensing and activating one of said plurality of staples;
- and
- means for positioning said means for dispensing and activating so that said lead position of said advancing sequence of staples is a position beneath said means for dispensing and activating.
A system for feeding staples to a horizontally disposed staple gun having a vertically disposed actuator head, said system comprising:
- means for sequentially storing a plurality of staples, including a feed track having a width adapted for receiving racks of staples thereupon in slidable engagement therewith;
- means for orienting said stored sequence of staples so that said staples automatically advance to a lead position due only to the force of gravity, including:
- a central upwardly curving arcuate portion of said feed track having first and second ends;
- an upwardly angled linear upper portion of said feed track connected to said first end of said central arcuate portion;
- and
- a lower horizontal portion of said feed tract connected to said second end of said central arcuate portion;
- and
- means for positioning said staple gun so that said lead position of said advancing sequence of staples is a position beneath said vertical actuator head, including:
- a horizontal base to which said feed track is attached;
- and
- a clamp assembly for securing said staple gun to said horizontal base in a position straddling said feed track and causing said advancing staples to pass beneath said vertical actuator head.
A method comprising the steps of:
- sequentially storing a plurality of staples;
- orienting said stored sequence of staples so that said staples automatically advance to a lead position beneath a vertical actuator head of a staple gun due only to the force of gravity;
- and
- actuating said actuator head of said staple gun to discharge and activate one of said staples.
A feed, discharge, and activation system for a plurality of fasteners, comprising:
- a fastener discharge actuator for individually discharging and activating said plurality of fasteners;
- a fastener feed track disposed beneath said actuator, said feed track further comprising:
- a linear upper region adapted to be disposed in an upwardly angulated orientation permitting said plurality of fasteners to be mounted thereon in slidable engagement therewith;
- an upwardly curving arcuate central region contiguous with said linear upper region;
- and
- a horizontal lower region contiguous with said upwardly curving arcuate region and disposed adjacent said actuator, said horizontal region facilitating the movement of said plurality of fasteners between said feed track and said actuator;
- and
- means connecting said feed track to said fastener discharge actuator.
A method of feeding staples to a staple actuator of the type wherein said actuator is positioned above said staples for engagement of individual ones thereof and the discharge of and activation of said staples therefrom, said method comprising the steps of:
- forming a staple feed track having a lower horizontal portion, a central upwardly curving arcuate portion, an upwardly angled linear upper portion, and a width adapted for receiving racks of staples thereupon in slidable engagement therewith;
- mounting a means for retaining said staples on said feed track during the movement of said staples therealong;
- securing said staple actuator to said feed track;
- and
- loading staples onto said feed track in sufficient quantity to permit a plurality of staples to extend upwardly along said upwardly angled linear portion, thereby utilizing the pull of gravity to urge said staples disposed in the lower horizontal portion of said feed track to move beneath said actuator.
A method of feeding, discharging, and activating fastening elements, comprising the steps of:
- providing a fastener discharge actuator for discharging and activating said fastening elements;
- providing an arcuate track for receipt of said fastener elements thereupon, at least a portion of said track extending upwardly relative to said actuator;
- providing means for securing said actuator to a portion of said track for the engagement of said fastening elements therebeneath;
- loading a sufficient quantity of said fastening elements on said track for permitting said fastening elements to be disposed on said upwardly extending portion thereof, and to be pulled under the force of gravity to thereby urge said fastening elements to move beneath said actuator;
- and
- actuating said fastener discharge actuator to discharge and activate one of said fastening elements.
An improved stapling system of a type wherein individual ones of a series of staples are discharged for penetration of members contiguous thereto, wherein the improvement comprises:
- a staple discharge actuator;
- a gravity-flow staple feed system coupled to, and at least partially disposed within, said staple discharge actuator, said feed system comprising:
- an arcuate feed track positioned adjacent said staple discharge actuator and extending outwardly and upwardly therefrom in an arcuate configuration of sufficient length to permit the pull of gravity, on staples loaded on said feed track, to apply a sufficient force to said staples for pushing said staples through said staple discharge actuator;
- means supporting said feed track adjacent to and in association with said staple discharge actuator;
- and
- means for receiving staples onto said track.
An improved stapling system of a type wherein a staple actuator engages individual ones of a series of staples and discharges said staples for penetration of members contiguous thereto, wherein the improvement comprises:
- a gravity-flow staple feed system coupled to, and at least partially disposed within., said staple actuator, said feed system comprising:
- an arcuate feed track positioned adjacent said staple actuator and extending outwardly and upwardly therefrom in an arcuate configuration of sufficient length to permit the pull of gravity, on staples loaded on said feed track, to apply a sufficient force to said staples for pushing said staples through said staple actuator;
- means supporting said feed track adjacent to and in association with said staple actuator;
- and
- means for receiving staples onto said track;
- and
- means for securing said staple actuator to a lower region of said track for positioning said actuator above said staples for the engagement and discharge thereof, wherein said actuator securement means includes a locking clamp assembly mounted on said track supporting means and adapted to engage said actuator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.