# US 6,935,546 B2 · Box spring stapler apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,935,546 B2 - Document ID: US6935546B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/306,231 - Filed: 2002-11-27 - Published: 2003-05-29 - Granted: 2005-08-30 - Earliest claimed: 2001-11-29 - Assignees: Imaginal Systematics, LLC - Inventors: Larry G. Durkos - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6935546B2 ## CPC - B27F 7/17: Stapling machines (manually operated portable stapling tools, hand- held power-operated stapling tools B25C5/00) - Y10T 29/481: Method - Y10T 29/49833: Punching, piercing or reaming part by surface of second part - Y10T 29/5191: Assembly - Y10T 29/5343: Means to drive self-piercing work part - B27F: DOVETAILED WORK; TENONS; SLOTTING MACHINES FOR WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES (hand-held nailing or stapling tools B25C; manufacture of cases, trunks or boxes from wood B27M3/34; connections for building structures in general, e.g. dowels for use in building constructions E04B1/38; jointing elements in general, e.g. dowels in general, F16B {; manufacture of long strips or planks by bonding together pieces of wood, e.g. by glueing, B27M3/0013}) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A fastener apparatus is provided for securing a plurality of modules to a frame. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for securing a plurality of modules to a frame to form a portion of a box spring or mattress foundation, each module including first and second side portions and a bottom portion coupled to the first and second side portions, the bottom portion being located on the frame, the apparatus comprising: a base configured to support the frame and the plurality of modules; a stapler located above the base, the stapler being configured to place a staple over the bottom portion of a module and into the frame; a drive mechanism configured to provide relative movement between the stapler and the base; and a mechanical guide configured to engage the module as the mechanical guide moves relative to the module, engagement of the mechanical guide with the module causing relative movement between the stapler and the module so that the stapler and the module are aligned at a target fastening location to permit the stapler to place a staple over the bottom portion of the module and into the frame at the target fastening location. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mechanical guide is located on the stapler. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mechanical guide includes first and second portions which are each configured to define an opening to receive the first and second side portions of the module, respectively, as the mechanical guide moves relative to the module. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stapler is movably coupled to a support to permit the stapler to move relative to the module as the mechanical guide engages the module to align the stapler and the module. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the stapler is moveable from a retracted position to an extended position relative to the support to move the stapler relative to the support and the base. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mechanical guide is made from a plastic material. ### Claim 7 An apparatus for securing a plurality of modules to a frame to form a portion of a box spring or mattress foundation, each module including first and second side portions and a bottom portion coupled to the first and second side portions, the bottom portion being located on the frame, the apparatus comprising: a base configured to support the frame and the plurality of modules; a stapler located above the base, the stapler being configured to place a staple over the bottom portion of each module and into the frame; a drive mechanism configured to move the stapler up and down relative to the base; and a mechanical guide located on the stapler, the mechanical guide including first and second portions configured to engage the first and second side portions of the module, respectively, as the stapler and mechanical guide move relative to the module so that the stapler and the module are aligned at a target fastening location on the frame to permit the stapler to place the staple over the bottom portion of the module and into the frame after the stapler is moved to the target fastening location by the drive mechanism. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a controller configured to control the drive mechanism to move the stapler relative to the base. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the controller includes a memory for storing a plurality of standard positions for each of the modules on the frame, the controller also including means for guiding the tool to the plurality of stored standard positions. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the controller is programmable to accommodate a plurality of different sized box springs. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first and second portions of the mechanical guide are each found to include an opening configured to receive the first and second side portions of the module, respectively, as the stapler and the mechanical guide move relative to the module. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein engagement of the mechanical guide with the module causes relative movement between the stapler and the module. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the stapler is movably coupled to a support to permit the stapler to move relative to the module as the mechanical guide engages the module to align the stapler and the module. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first and second side portions of the module are each aligned at an angle relative to the bottom portion to provide a generally V-shaped module. ### Claim 15 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising an alignment tool configuration to position the modules relative to the frame. ### Claim 16 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the plurality of modules are formed by a continuous metal wire, each module having a top portion spaced apart from the frame, the first and second side portions, and the bottom portion located on the frame. ### Claim 17 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a support located above the base, the stapler being coupled to the support, and wherein the drive mechanism is coupled to the support to move the support and the stapler relative to the base. ### Claim 18 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a support located above the base, the stapler being movable from a retracted position to an extended position relative to the support to move the stapler relative to the support and the base. ### Claim 19 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the mechanical guide is an integrally formed guide. ### Claim 20 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the mechanical guide is made from a plastic material. ### Claim 21 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the mechanical guide includes first and second guide wings configured to engage the first and second side portions of the module, respectively, the first and second guide wings being pivotable relative to the stapler as the stapler moves relative to the module. ### Claim 22 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first and second portions of the mechanical guide are formed from a low friction material. ### Claim 23 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the stapler includes an elongated stapling head, the stapling head including a distal end configured to deliver staples to the target fastening location, the mechanical guide being located on the stapling head adjacent the distal end.