Stapler

A stapler movable between a rest position and a stapling position, the stapler having a front end adjacent a staple ejection location and a rear end, the stapler comprising:

• a base;
• a staple magazine coupled to the base and configured to hold staples;
• a driver blade operable to drive staples out of the staple magazine during stapling operations;
• an elastic member coupled to the driver blade and operable to move the driver blade during stapling operations, the elastic member utilizing potential energy to move the driver blade during stapling operations;
• and
• an over-center linkage having first and second link members pivotally connected together and movable between a first position in which the driver blade is prevented from driving a staple out of the staple magazine, and a second position in which the driver blade is operable to drive a staple out of the staple magazine;
• wherein the first and second link members are pivotally connected about a first pivot axis, the first link member is pivotally connected to a drive link about a second pivot axis, and the second link member is pivotally connected to another portion of the stapler relative to which the drive link is movable, about a third pivot axis;
• wherein the first, second, and third pivot axes are generally aligned in a straight line when the over-center linkage is in the first position;
• and
• wherein the first, second, and third pivot axes are not aligned in a straight line when the over-center linkage is in the second position.

A stapler comprising:

• a base;
• a staple magazine coupled to the base and configured to hold staples;
• a driver blade operable to drive staples out of the staple magazine during stapling operations;
• an elastic member coupled to the driver blade and operable to move the driver blade during stapling operations, the elastic member utilizing potential energy to move the driver blade during stapling operations;
• a drive link coupled with the driver blade and the elastic member, and having a pivot point about which the drive link pivots;
• and
• an over-center linkage having first and second link members pivotally connected together and movable between a first position in which the driver blade is prevented from driving a staple out of the staple magazine, and a second position in which the driver blade is operable to drive a staple out of the staple magazine;
• wherein the first and second link members are pivotally connected about a first pivot axis, the first link member is pivotally connected to the drive link about a second pivot axis, and the second link member is pivotally connected to another portion of the stapler relative to which the drive link is movable, about a third pivot axis;
• and
• wherein the over-center linkage is coupled with the drive link such that, when the over-center linkage is in the first position, the drive link is not allowed to pivot about the pivot point, and when the over-center linkage is in the second position, the drive link is allowed to pivot about the pivot point to drive the driver blade.