Stapling Device

Abstract

A stapling device has a housing including a contact surface and defining an ejection channel terminating in an ejection opening defined in the contact surface. An ejector is movable in the ejection channel between an upper position and a lower position. A magazine is removably attached to the housing and configured to, when attached to the housing and when storing one or more staples, position a first staple in the ejection channel. The magazine is removable from the housing via movement in a first direction followed by movement in a second direction. A drive is operably connected to the ejector and configured to move the ejector from the upper position to the lower position to, when the magazine is attached to the housing and storing the one or more staples, engage the first staple in the ejection channel and eject the first staple out of the ejection opening.

Claims

1. A stapling device comprising: a housing comprising a contact surface and defining an ejection channel terminating in an ejection opening defined in the contact surface; an ejector movable in the ejection channel between an upper position and a lower position; a magazine removably attached to the housing and configured to, when attached to the housing and when storing one or more staples, position a first staple of the one or more staples in the ejection channel, wherein the magazine is removable from the housing via movement in a first direction followed by movement in a second direction transverse to the first direction; and a drive operably connected to the ejector and configured to move the ejector from the upper position to the lower position to, when the magazine is attached to the housing and storing the one or more staples, engage the first staple in the ejection channel and eject the first staple out of the ejection opening.

2. The stapling device of claim 1, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

3. The stapling device of claim 1, wherein the contact surface is planar, wherein the first direction is parallel to the contact surface.

4. The stapling device of claim 3, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

5. The stapling device of claim 1, further comprising a lever movable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the magazine is attached to the housing and the lever is in the first position, the lever prevents the magazine from moving in the first direction, wherein when the magazine is attached to the housing and the lever is in the second position, the lever does not prevent the magazine from moving in the first direction.

6. The stapling device of claim 5, wherein the lever is biased to the first position.

7. The stapling device of claim 5, wherein the lever is pivotable between the first position and the second position.

8. The stapling device of claim 7, wherein the lever is pivotable about a pivot axis that is parallel to the ejection channel.

9. The stapling device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a guide body defining a slot and an opening in communication with the slot, wherein the magazine comprises a projection, wherein when the magazine is attached to the housing, the projection is at least partially received in the slot to prevent the magazine from moving in the second direction.

10. The stapling device of claim 9, wherein the projection is removed from the slot and positioned in the opening after the magazine has moved in the first direction to enable the magazine to move in the second direction.

11. The stapling device of claim 1, further comprising a blocking device movable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the blocking device is in the first position, the blocking device prevents movement of the ejector from the upper position to the lower position, wherein when the blocking device is in the second position, the blocking device does not prevent the ejector from moving from the upper position to the lower position.

12. The stapling device of claim 11, wherein the blocking device is in the first position when the magazine is not attached to the housing and in the second position when the magazine is attached to the housing.

13. The stapling device of claim 12, wherein the blocking device is pivotable between the first and second positions and is biased to the first position.

14. The stapling device of claim 13, wherein the blocking device comprises a first leg and a second leg, wherein the first leg is in the ejection channel when the blocking device is in the first position and is removed from the ejection channel when the blocking device is in the second position.

15. The stapling device of claim 14, wherein the magazine contacts the second leg of the blocking device when the magazine is attached to the housing to maintain the blocking device in the second position.

16. The stapling device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a handle having a free end, wherein the drive is positioned in the handle, the stapling device further comprising a battery removably attached to the free end of the handle.

17. The stapling device of claim 1, further comprising: an activatable trigger; and a control system configured to, when in a semi-automatic operating mode: responsive to a first triggering condition being met, control the drive to cause the ejector to move from the upper position to the lower position; and after the first triggering condition has been met, responsive to a second triggering condition being met, control the drive to cause the ejector to move from the upper position to the lower position, wherein the first triggering condition and the second triggering condition are different.

18. The stapling device of claim 1, wherein the magazine comprises a fill-level indicator indicating a quantity of staples in the magazine.

19. The stapling device of claim 1, further comprising a light-emitting device configured to project a light beam that identifies a staple orientation.

20. The stapling device of claim 19, further comprising a control system configured to activate the light-emitting device responsive to a triggering condition being met.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0060] FIG. 1 is a partly sectioned representation of a one example embodiment of a mobile portable stapler of the present disclosure.

[0061] FIG. 2 is a perspective representation of the stapler of FIG. 1.

[0062] FIG. 3 is a perspective partial representation of the stapler of FIG. 1.

[0063] FIG. 4 is an exploded partial representation of the stapler with its guide for a bayonet type arrangement and guidance of a magazine on the stapler.

[0064] FIG. 5 is a representation per FIG. 4 during the inserting of the magazine into the stapler.

[0065] FIG. 6 is a representation per FIG. 5 with the magazine in its end position.

[0066] FIG. 7 is a representation of the stapler from underneath, while inserting a magazine.

[0067] FIG. 8 is a representation per FIG. 7, with a further inserting of the magazine.

[0068] FIG. 9 is a representation per FIGS. 7 and 8, with the magazine in its end position.

[0069] FIG. 10 is a representation per FIG. 9.

[0070] FIG. 11 is a representation per FIG. 10 with a beginning removal of the magazine from the guide.

[0071] FIG. 12 is a representation per FIGS. 9 and 11 with a further removing of the magazine.

[0072] FIG. 13 is a longitudinal section through the stapler of FIG. 1 with a blocking device for the ejector.

[0073] FIG. 14 is the blocking device of FIG. 13 in a release position.

[0074] FIG. 15 is the blocking device of FIGS. 13 and 14 in a blocking position.

[0075] FIG. 16 is a perspective representation of the blocking device with a pawl in the blocking position.

[0076] FIG. 17 is a perspective representation of the stapler of FIG. 1 with a marking device arranged on the magazine device.

[0077] FIG. 18 is the marking device as the staples are further consumed.

[0078] FIG. 19 is the marking device with nearly all staples consumed from the magazine.

[0079] FIG. 20 is a side view of the stapler with a light beam of a light-emitting device as a positioning aid.

[0080] FIG. 21 is a sectional representation of the stapler of FIG. 20.

[0081] FIG. 22 is the light-emitting device of FIGS. 20 and 21 in a holder of the stapler.

[0082] FIG. 23 is a sectional representation of the representation of FIG. 22.

[0083] FIG. 24 is the stapler with two light beams emerging at the side of the stapler from two further light-emitting devices in a front representation.

[0084] FIG. 25 is the representation of FIG. 24 with a rear view.

[0085] FIG. 26 is a perspective representation of two light beam planes oriented perpendicular to each other from two light-emitting devices of FIGS. 20-25.

[0086] FIG. 27 is a sectional representation of the front end of the stapler with the representation of two light-emitting devices emitting light planes aligned with each other.

[0087] FIG. 28 is a sectional representation per FIG. 27 of alternative light-emitting device and with two light shafts.

[0088] FIG. 29 is a side view of the representation of FIG. 28.

[0089] FIG. 30 is a head area of the stapler in a partial representation with a display and control device provided on the stapler.

[0090] FIG. 31 is a sectional representation of the stapler with a trigger and two spring elements counteracting the operating force of the trigger.

[0091] FIG. 32 is a partial representation of FIG. 31 with the trigger in an early stage of activation, and with the two spring elements, one of them lying against the trigger and the other one spaced away from the trigger.

[0092] FIG. 33 is a representation per FIG. 32 with the trigger in a later stage of its activation, in which both spring elements lie against the trigger.

[0093] FIG. 34 is three front views each with a stapler, being provided with two mechanical detecting devices (contact switches) for the detection of an object in the area of a contact surface, the detecting devices being shown in different detection states in two partly sectioned representations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0094] FIG. 1 shows one example embodiment of the stapler of the present disclosure as a portable electrically operated stapler 1, as is provided in the industrial or commercial field for the driving of fasteners, especially staples, into surfaces. The electric energy provided is used to drive out or eject staples. The housing comprises a main housing section 2 and a handle section 3, as will be further explained below. On the main housing section 2 there is arranged a removable magazine device 4 in which a supply of staples can be held. Inside the main housing section 2 is arranged an ejecting mechanism 6, which contains an ejector 8 driven by a motor 7, which in its acceleration path strikes against the foremost staple from the magazine 4, accelerates it, and pushes it out from an ejecting channel 9 and its exit opening 10. The exit opening 10 is situated in the area of a substantially flat contact surface 11 by which the stapler 1 is placed on the item or object to set a staple in the respective object with the stapler 1 in a motor driven manner.

[0095] In this example embodiment, the stapler is used for the closing of cardboard boxes. It therefore comprises two so-called clinchers 14 (FIG. 3) that are synchronized in the movements performed by them with the movement of the ejector 8 and are driven in their movement into the cardboard box to bend the two legs of the respective staple in the direction of a base leg of the staple.

[0096] The housing may in certain embodiments be made from a castable or injection moldable plastic and it has two halves that can be put together. Each housing half thus has a portion of the main housing section 2 and a portion of the handle section 3.

[0097] The ejecting mechanism 6 situated in the main housing section 2 comprises a rotation element driven in rotation by the motor 7, being equipped with an eccentric cam. The cam is led in a slide of a straight-moving lifting element. The lifting element is led in a straight line so that it performs in each case a straight movement between an upper and a lower dead center, at which a reversal of the direction of movement occurs each time. The slide for the cam provided on the lifting element has a first slide segment running at a slant to the lift axis and an adjacent second slide segment running at least substantially perpendicular to the lift axis.

[0098] On the lifting element there is arranged a transmission rod by one of its ends, its other end being arranged on a guide element likewise led in the lifting direction. At the lower end of the guide element is situated the ejector, which together with the lifting element and the guide element executes an oscillating movement between the upper and the lower dead center of its movement. The ejector in its motor driven path is designed to make contact with the most forward staple of the staple supply located in each case in the ejecting channel by an end of the ejector facing away from the guide element and by the end face that is provided here.

[0099] Furthermore, linked to the guide element are two clinchers 14 that can swivel by a lever gearing 28. Each of the clinchers 14 has at its free end a blade 14a that penetrates into the object, here the cardboard box, during an ejection stroke of the ejector 8 by the swiveling movement of the respective clincher 14 and bends one of the two U-legs of the staple 12 in the direction of the base leg of the staple 12, thereby fixing the staple 12 against being simply pulled out from the cardboard box. Usually a stapler of this kind is arranged by its contact surface 11 on the cardboard box so that one leg of the staple 12 pierces one of the two foldable flaps of the cardboard box by which the cardboard box is to be closed. After the clinchers 14 have bent the legs of the staple 12, the clinchers 14 are swiveled back out from the cardboard box during the upward stroke of the guide element and the link element on the same path taken to arrive in the cardboard box and at the underside of the two flaps of the cardboard box. The downward and upward stroke movements of the link element thus follow the same straight path, but in reversed movement direction. The movements here occur along a common longitudinal axis, situated at the center of the guide channel of the link element.

[0100] According to the present disclosure, the ejecting mechanism 6 is motor driven, namely, by an electric motor in the present case. For this, a brushless direct-current electric motor 7 is situated in the handle section 3. By handle section 3 may be understood here the section of the housing that is designed to be grasped by the hand of an operator when he is using the stapler and guiding it by hand. This electric motor 7 in the present case is situated, at least by one segment of its longitudinal extension, inside the handle section 3 roughly in a place where the handle section has a grip 3a on its outside, designed and intended for the placement of the operating hand and fingers of the operating hand of the operator. In the area of the grip 3a, the operator grasps the handle section 3 and in this way can activate in ergonomically favorable manner a trigger 29 situated in the area of the grip 3a with his index finger. The trigger 29 is thus located immediately next to the motor 7 and the power board 25. By activating the trigger 29, the ejection of a staple can be set in motion.

[0101] Furthermore, a power electronics board 25 is located in the handle section 3 and is designed to control the motor 7 and to regulate the motor current. At the handle section 3 there is furthermore provided in the area of its free end a receptacle for an insertable and removable rechargeable storage battery 26. In the exemplary embodiment, the power electronics board 25 is located between the storage battery 26 and the electric motor 7. The necessary wiring 30 between the storage battery 26 and the power electronics board 25 and that between the power electronics board 25 and the electric motor 7 is likewise located in the handle section 3 of the housing.

[0102] As can be seen from FIG. 1, the axis of rotation 7a of the electric motor is oriented at least roughly parallel to the contact surface 11 of the stapler. As can likewise be seen in FIG. 1, the axis of rotation 7a of the electric motor is oriented at least roughly, in certain embodiments as exactly as possible, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 13 of the guide or ejecting channel for the staples, and the straight movement axis 13 of the lifting element. The electric motor is attached to a planetary gearing 27, by which the respective motor speed is reduced, i.e., slowed down. The axis of rotation of the planetary gearing 27 connected to the motor rotation axis 7a at the output side of the gearing is aligned with the motor rotation axis 7a. The drive motion at the output side of the gearing drives the crank of the ejector mechanism and via the ejector mechanism 6 also the ejector 8 and the clinchers 14. The motor rotation axis 7a has approximately the same distance from the contact surface 11 as a point of application of the motor rotational movement from the gearing 27 or electric motor 7 to the ejecting mechanism 6.

[0103] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure are provided with a detection device 31 for the detection of a body part, especially a finger, placed on the trigger 29. This detection device 31 can be arranged either on the trigger 29 directly or on the housing of the stapler in direct proximity to the trigger 29. The detection device for the detection of a body part arranged on the trigger may be a proximity sensor, a photodiode, or a photoresistor. By way of a signal cable laid in the housing, a detection signal of the detection device can be taken to a control system of the stapler, the control system being designed such that the detection signal is a prerequisite for enabling the ejecting of a staple.

[0104] Finally, the trigger 29 can in certain embodiments be activated against the spring forces of at least two spring elements 17, 18. When the trigger 29 is activated, this occurs at first only against the spring force of the first spring 17 and only during the further activation of the trigger does the second spring 18 also act with its spring force against the trigger 29. As soon as the second spring 18 on account of a further activation path of the trigger 29 presents its spring force also as a compression spring against the further pressing of the trigger 29, the spring forces of both spring elements 17, 18 are then acting and the trigger now has to be activated against both spring elements 17, 18.

[0105] In the area of the contact surface 11 of the mobile portable stapler there is located a detecting device 19, 20 on either side next to the exit opening 10, with which the presence of an object directly underneath the contact surface 11 and thus beneath the exit opening 10 can be detected. Thus, these two detecting devices 19, 20 (sensors) are supposed to determine whether the stapler is arranged on an object into which a staple 12 can be delivered. In certain embodiments both detecting devices 19, 20 detect the object and must each provide a corresponding signal to the control system in order for the control system to enable the ejecting of a staple 12. In this way, one can prevent the ejecting of staples with no appropriate object being present. By having at least one detecting device 19, 20 at each end face of the exit opening 10, it can furthermore be detected whether the entire exit opening 10 or only a portion thereof is located on an object. The at least two detecting devices 19, 20 thus have a spacing from each other that is larger than the length of the exit opening 10. Also in this way it can be prevented that staples will be ejected and have only one leg in an object, thus not being able to fulfill their intended function.

[0106] The two detecting devices 19, 20 are in certain embodiments optical sensors. In other embodiments, the detecting devices are mechanical sensors or sensors based on other functioning principles. Besides other optical sensors, sensors may be suitable that emit light and detect a reflecting of the emitted light, for example. Such optical proximity sensors have long been available in many different designs, so that their construction shall not be further discussed.

[0107] Certain embodiments of a stapler according to the present disclosure in which mechanical contact switches are provided instead of optical detecting devices in the contact surface 11 are identified as detecting devices 119, 120. These detecting devices 119, 120 may at least be situated in substantially the same places of the contact surface 11 at which the optical detecting devices 19, 20 are provided.

[0108] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure are provided with the possibility of setting, besides a single shot mode of each time (only) one staple per activation of the trigger 29, also a semiautomatic mode and/or a fully automatic mode. This semiautomatic mode may be switched on and off at a display/control device of the stapler each time by activating a button (here a button of a membrane keypad 33, described below). By switching on the semiautomatic mode, after a onetime activation of the trigger 29 a stapling process is possible each time as long as certain conditions are fulfilled for the individual automatically occurring stapling processes. Such conditions may be, in particular, that both the detecting device 31 of the trigger 29 detect a finger and the detecting devices 19, 20 detect an object in the area of the exit opening 10. If such detection signals of the detecting devices 19, 20, 31 are absent, it may be arranged that no enabling will occur for a first staple 12. But if a first staple has been enabled and thus ejected on account of such detection signals, then no further activating of the trigger is needed in this operating mode for the output of further staples.

[0109] Thus, conditions for the triggering of a stapling process in the semiautomatic mode may be, for example, that it is ascertained by the detection devices that the contact surface is located on a surface of an object. After performing the first stapling process in semiautomatic mode, it may likewise be a condition for a following stapling process of the same ejection series in semiautomatic mode that the detection devices 19, 20 have detected an interim removal of the contact surface 11 from the object and then once more the presence of the object in the area of the contact surface 11. In other words, it must be detected that the stapler was lifted off from the object and set back down. It may likewise be provided that a further detection device is used to determine that an operator has placed a finger on the trigger, but without the operator having to activate the trigger. In other alternative embodiments, however, it may also be provided that a series of staple ejections can only occur in the semiautomatic mode if the trigger 29 is activated without interruption.

[0110] It is possible for detection devices, such as optical proximity sensors in particular, to signal the presence of an object already when the particular sensor is in the immediate proximity of the respective object, but no contact exists as of yet between the stapler and the object. To prevent staples from being ejected too early in the semiautomatic mode, i.e., at times when the stapler is not yet fully situated by its contact surface 11 on the object, a time delay after such detection signals may be provided for the respective staple ejection. The time delay may either be stored as a fixed time value in the control system or it may be adjustable by an operator on the stapler, especially adjustable from a time value from a range. Possible time delays may be for example values from a range of 5 milliseconds to 350 milliseconds, but in certain embodiments from a range of 10 milliseconds to 200 milliseconds. In the exemplary embodiment, a value of 50 milliseconds is provided.

[0111] Besides the manual operating mode in which each time an activation of the trigger is required for each individual staple ejection, there is finally alternatively or possibly in addition to the semiautomatic mode also a (fully) automatic mode. In this third operating mode of the stapler that can be set in place of the other two operating modes, after detection of the fulfillment of at least one enable condition and after activation of the trigger 29, staples can be ejected for as long as the trigger 29 remains activated or depressed and the contact surface 11 is present without interruption on an object. In this way, for example, it is possible and intended for the stapler 1 to be pulled across an object, each time there occurring the ejecting of a staple from a series of staple ejections after a certain time interval. As soon as the trigger 29 is released and/or the stapler is lifted off from the object, the control system halts the ejecting of further staples.

[0112] Finally, in conjunction with the automatic mode it may also be provided that the time interval between one staple ejection and the immediately following staple ejection can be changed. In one possible embodiment, this interval may be set on the stapler 1 by an operator by a corresponding entry as a value. Alternatively or additionally, in a further possible embodiment, it may be provided that the interval is dictated in a teach-in (learning) mode of the stapler. For this, the time interval during which an operator ejects two staples by way of the stapler can be memorized in an adjustable teach-in mode. This interval is then used for the automatic mode. In this way, the automatic mode can be adapted to the work style and work pace of an operator.

[0113] In the area of the contact surface 11, in the region of the two short side edges of the exit opening 10 of the ejecting channel 9, each time a detecting device 19, 20 is arranged on both sides for the detection of an object. With these detecting devices 19, 20 it is possible to determine whether the stapler is located by its contact surface 11 on an object and therefore a stapling process can be enabled. Detection signals of the detection devices 19, 20 are relayed to the control system of the stapler and used there to control the stapler. The detecting devices 19, 20 may work by various principles, for example, as mechanical or as optical detecting device.

[0114] In the figures, the stapler is shown with inserted magazine 37 in a slanted bottom representation. There has been installed in the magazine a supply of staples 12 that is pressed by a spring-loaded pusher 38 in the direction of the ejecting channel 9 of the stapler. The frontmost one of the U-shaped staples 12 is thus always present in the ejecting channel 9, in which it is grasped by the ejector 8 during its movement, accelerated, and forced out from the exit opening 10.

[0115] In this representation of the figures, a swivel lever 40 and its swivel axis 41 exist on either side of the magazine 37. The swivel levers 40 and their swivel axes 41 belong to a quick lock by which the magazine can be releasably secured to the stapler 1 and also removed by releasing the quick lock. Thus, a first and a second swivel lever 40 are located on opposite sides of the magazine, both of them able to swivel about their respective swivel axes 41. The two swivel axes 41 run parallel to each other and at least substantially perpendicular to the contact surface 11. Finally, the two swivel axes 41 are also oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ejecting channel 9.

[0116] As is represented in the cross sectional representation of the figures, the main housing section of the stapler has two guide bodies 42 for the magazine 37, spaced apart from each other. Each of the two guide bodies 42 is provided with guide elements for the magazine, which is approximately rectangular in cross section. On their walls, the guide bodies 42 are provided with guide elements 43 for a movement of the magazine 37 parallel to the contact surface 11 and with one or more end stops, to limit this movement. In the exemplary embodiment, these guide elements 43 are recesses running parallel to the contact surface 11, here being slotlike recesses, in the guide bodies. Each time the ends of the slotlike recesses serve as end stops 43a in the exemplary embodiment.

[0117] In the exemplary embodiment, the slotlike recesses pass into rectangular recesses of the walls of the guide body 44. The likewise rectangular recesses 44 also serve as guide elements for a definite guided relative movement between the magazine 37 and the housing of the stapler. The upper end face wall boundaries 44a of the recesses 44 constitute the end stops here for the movement guidance by way of the recesses 44 in the direction perpendicular to the contact surface. Thus, as seen from the bottom open rectangle shape of the recess 44, each of the two substantially rectangular recesses 44 in the area of the upper end face wall boundary adjoins the slot running parallel to the contact surface 11 and in the direction of the ejecting channel 9 as a guide element 43. In certain embodiments described here merely as an example, each of the two guide bodies thus has two identical guide elements 43, 44 arranged alongside each other.

[0118] The magazine 37 is provided with two brackets 47 spaced apart and arranged one behind the other in the area of its side walls 46 near the ejecting channel. The brackets 47 project perpendicular from the outer surfaces of the side walls 46 and when a magazine 37 is inserted into the stapler 1 they have a substantially parallel orientation to the contact surface 11. The brackets 47 are spaced apart from each other and dimensioned such that they can be arranged in the recesses of the guide elements 43, 44 of the guide body and can be moved there along the respective longitudinal extension of the recessesand only along these longitudinal extensions. To attach a magazine 37 to the stapler 1, the brackets 47 are introduced from the bottom open side of the guide elements 44, so that the brackets 47 are moved in the guide elements parallel to the contact surface 11 until the respective bracket 47 reaches the upper end (end stop) of the respective recess of the guide element 44. This movement direction is oriented perpendicular to the contact surface 11. Now the respective bracket 47 can be moved parallel to the contact surface 11 into the respective slotlike recess of the respective guide element 43 until the brackets 47 reach their respective end stop 43a at the same time. The slots of the guide elements 43 and the thickness of the brackets 47 are dimensioned such that the brackets 47 after reaching their end stop 44a in the respective guide element 44 are introduced into the respective slot of the guide elements 43 and can now perform a movement substantially parallel to the contact surface. When inserting a magazine 37, the first movement of the magazine 37, or that of its brackets 47, in the recesses of the guide elements 44 and the second movement of the brackets 47 in the slots of the guide elements 43 are thus oriented perpendicular to each other. For the removal of the magazine from the stapler 1, the slots are led out from the guide elements 43, 44, now in the reversed movement direction, but along the same path. It is possible both when inserting and when removing a magazine 37, to also move the stapler 1 instead of the magazine 37 along the described path. The relative movements between the magazine 37 and the guide bodies 42 of the stapler 1 are what matter.

[0119] In each of the two guide bodies 42, one of the swivel axes 41 is led through the respective guide body 42 on both sides in the area of the magazine 37 and a spring element 49 in certain embodiments configured as a compression spring is arranged and braced against the guide body 42. The respective swivel axis 41 is arranged with a spacing from the spring element 49 (compression spring) and has a smaller distance from the ejecting channel 9 than the respective spring element 49 of the same side of the magazine. Each of the swivel axes 41 runs at least substantially perpendicular to the contact surface 11 of the stapler and also at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ejecting channel 9. The swivel levers 40 that can pivot about their respective swivel axis 41 can thus execute swivel movements about this axis, lying substantially in a swivel plane running parallel to the contact surface 11. The respective swivel axis 41 is also led through one of the swivel levers 40.

[0120] The respective guide body 42 is situated between the magazine 37 and the swivel lever 40 belonging to this side of the magazine. At its outer side, each of the swivel levers 40 has a shoulder 50. The shoulder 50 is provided for bearing against a surface of a carrier body of the stapler 1 and thus serves to limit the depth of insertion of the magazine 37 in the stapler. Furthermore, each of the two swivel levers 40 is curved by its end at the ejecting channel side in the direction of the magazine 37 and provided with a profiled end face 45 (FIGS. 7-12).

[0121] The stapler 1 has a rear plate 51 in the area of its magazine-side opening, which is also located in the area of the ejecting channel 9, which bounds the ejecting channel 9 at the magazine side when the magazine 37 has been inserted and is part of the magazine 37. The rear plate 51 extends on both sides beyond the rail of the magazine 37 in which staples 12 are stored. Side surfaces of the rear plate 51 are situated roughly at the height of the ends of the swivel levers 40 at the exit channel side. The end faces 45 of the swivel lever ends are each provided with two partial surfaces 40a, 40b making an obtuse angle, which interact with the respective side surface 51a of the rear plate 51.

[0122] To release the magazine 37 secured in the stapler 1 and remove it, for example on account of a staple jam or to refill the magazine 37, first of all the two swivel levers 40 have to be activated about their respective swivel axis 41 and against the spring force of the spring elements 49. In the case of an inserted magazine 37 locked at the quick lock, the rear sections 40c of the swivel levers 40 are at a distance from the respective guide body 42. These swivel lever sections 40c are pushed away from the guide body 42 by the spring element 49 in the form of a torque about the swivel axis 41. A resulting swivel movement of the swivel levers 40 is limited each time by an end stop of the shoulder 50 of the swivel levers 40 on the carrier body or on the housing of the stapler. An activating of the swivel levers 40 now results at first in a swivel movement about the swivel axis 41 against the spring force, so that the rear sections 40c of the swivel levers 40 come to bear against the guide body 42, as is shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9. The profiled end faces of the front ends of the swivel levers 40 are lifted off by the rear plate 51 from their identical locking positions on the rear plate 51, in which the two partial surfaces 40a, 40b of the profiled end faces of the swivel levers 40, angled toward each other, thrust against an edge region of the end face of the rear plate 51. In this way, the magazine 37 is released for pulling out from the guide (guide elements 43, 44), and so the quick lock is loosened.

[0123] On the other hand, as long as the respective end face of the swivel levers 40 lies against the end face 51a of the rear plate 51 and the quick lock is not released by hand, the quick lock is locked with self-locking. A pulling on the magazine 37 has the result, due to the geometry of the front ends of the swivel levers 40, that the rear plate 51 has a tendency to swivel both swivel levers 40 about their swivel axes 41 against their direction of turning when loosening the quick lock. This results in an increasing of the holding forces exerted by the swivel levers 40 at the carrier side or housing side on the rear plate 51 at the magazine side.

[0124] After the quick lock has been loosened as described, the magazine 37 can be distanced from the housing with a movement running parallel to the contact surface 11. The direction of this movement is dictated by the slots of the guide elements 43 and the brackets 47 led therein. The movement is halted as soon as the brackets 47 strike against side boundary walls of the recesses of the guide elements 44. In this position, all the brackets 47 are situated with their entire longitudinal extensions inside the recesses of the guide elements 44, at their upper ends. By a movement of the brackets 47 inside the recesses of the guide elements 44 toward the open bottom end of the recesses or alternatively a movement of the recesses along the brackets 47, the magazine 37 can be entirely removed from the stapler. Thus, a simple option of removing the magazine 37 may be to place the stapler 1 lying against a base by its contact surface 11 and the bottom of the magazine 37 and to activate the swivel levers 40, which may also be called quick lock levers. After this, the magazine 37 is moved parallel to the contact surface 11 in a first direction as far as the end stop of the brackets 47. The stapler may then be lifted relative to the magazine, perpendicular to the contact surface 11, until the recesses of the guide elements 44 are removed from the brackets. The magazine 37 is now separated from the stapler 1 and freely accessible.

[0125] For the inserting of the magazine 37 into the stapler 1, the aforementioned movements between the magazine 37 and the stapler 1 can be performed now in reversed sequence and in reversed movement direction (FIGS. 10, 11, 12). The magazine 37 can be attached by its brackets 47 from underneath to the recesses of the guide elements 44. With a movement of the magazine 37 perpendicular to the contact surface 11, the brackets 47 can be introduced into the recess and moved as far as the first end stop. After this, the magazine 37 can be moved perpendicular to the first movement in the direction of the ejecting channel 9. The rear plate 51 arranged on the magazine 37 makes contact with ends of the swivel levers 40 at the ejecting channel side and swivels them against the spring force of the spring elements 49 about their respective swivel axis 41. The rear plate 51 in this way can pass by the back-swiveled swivel levers 40, whereupon the swivel levers 40 loaded by the spring elements swivel back into their locking position, now in the opposite swivel direction. Due to the acting spring force, the swivel levers 40 snap back, which may serve as a sign of a magazine 37 properly arranged in its end position for the operator. As can be seen in the enlarged representation of one of the figures, one of the partial surfaces 40a of the front end face of the respective swivel lever 40 gets in front of the rear plate 51 and locks it against a pulling out of the magazine 37. The other partial surface 40b of the front end face, on the other hand, lies against the side surface (end face) 51a of the rear plate 51 and in this way is prevented from further movement about the swivel axis. Thus, the swivel levers 40 remain in this position. Hence, besides the magazine 37, the rear plate 51 is also arranged in its intended nominal position on the stapler 1, in which it bounds the ejecting channel 9 at the magazine side.

[0126] To ensure the stapler cannot be triggered when no magazine is installed in the stapler, the stapler comprises a movable blocking device. The blocking device can be swiveled into the movement path of the ejector 8, so that the ejector 8 cannot execute a lifting movement. The blocking device can be situated in two end positions, whereby the blocking device in the first end position is situated outside the movement path of the ejector 8 and thus releases the ejector for its lifting movement to eject a staple. In the second end position, on the other hand, the blocking device is in the movement path and thus it blocks the ejector.

[0127] In the exemplary embodiment which is depicted, the blocking device is a swivelable pawl 55 arranged on a shaft 56 and that can pivot about the longitudinal axis of the shaft 56. The shaft 56 and its swivel axis are oriented perpendicular to the lifting movement of the ejector 8 and parallel to the base leg 12a of the respective staples 12 situated in the magazine. The pawl 55 has two legs 55a, 55b, one leg 55a being located on one side of the shaft 56, the other leg 55b being located on the opposite side of the shaft. The pawl 55 has a driving lug 57 on the leg 55a at its lower end, close to the exit opening 10. Furthermore, a compression spring 58 presses against the other leg 55b, which thereby tends to press the leg 55b in the direction of the ejector. If no other force is acting against the pawl 55, the force of the compression spring will swivel the pawl 55 with its leg 55b into a groove 8a of the ejector 8. In this end position, the leg 55b of the pawl 55 thus blocks the ejector against a movement in the ejecting channel 9.

[0128] By inserting a magazine 37 into the stapler, a component 59 of the magazine pushes against the leg 55a of the pawl shortly before reaching the end position of the magazine in the stapler 1. During the movement of the magazine 37 parallel to its longitudinal extension, the component of the magazine engages the driving lug 57 of the pawl 55 and swivels the pawl 55 against the spring force of the compression spring, so that the leg 55b is swiveled out from the groove of the ejector 8 and thus also out from the movement path of the ejector 8. When the magazine 37 has reached its end position, it holds the pawl 55 by bearing against the driving lug 57 in a second end position, in which the pawl 55, in the representation of FIGS. 13, 14, is oriented substantially vertically and parallel to the ejecting direction of the staples. The pawl 55 in this second end position is situated outside the ejecting channel 9 and thus clears the ejector for an ejecting movement. When the magazine 37 is removed once more, it then again releases the driving lug 57 and thus the pawl 55. In this way, the pawl 55 can once again be moved into its end position in which it blocks the ejector 8 during the removal movement, on account of the force of the compression spring 58.

[0129] As can be seen from FIGS. 17, 18, the magazine is provided with a fill level display 60. For this, a marking 61 is placed on one or more stationary parts of the magazine 37, showing the degree of fullness of the supply of staples in the magazine. The markings for example may have optically perceivable differences along the direction of supply or stacking of the staples in the magazine, standing for a different degree of fullness and symbolizing that degree. The optical differences for example may be different colored partial markings 61a, 61b, and 61c. In particular, a minimum fill level marking at which the magazine needs to be filled again can be designated with a signal color, such as red, in particular signal red. Of course, other kinds of markings are also conceivable and possible, such as different geometrical shapes. An acoustic signal may also be provided, either in addition or by itself, for reaching a minimum fill level.

[0130] The magazine 37 furthermore has a display or indication device 63 which moves along with the stack of staples that is depleted during use, which shows the particular fill level of the magazine 37 with staples 12 at the markings 61. An especially favorable solution for this is a spring-loaded slide 64, with which the stack of staples 12 arranged in the magazine 37 is pushed in the direction of the ejecting channel 9 of the stapler 1, serving to display or indicate the fill level with the aid of one or more markings 61. A simple design form can, for example, be provided in that one end face of the slide 64, by which the slide rests against the stack of staples, indicates or represents the particular fill level at the markings. The solution realized in the exemplary embodiment calls for an arrow 62 arranged on the slide and pointing at the markings as the indication device 63. The arrow may be arranged for example on a handle piece of the slide 64, with which the slide can be moved in the magazine 37 also by hand, in particular it can be pulled back for the holding of staples.

[0131] The figures show exemplary embodiments of other aspects according to the present disclosure. Thus, for example, FIG. 20-28 show the stapler 1 with its housing, where the stapler 1 comprises a device 70 of emitting light from the housing. The light-emitting device 70 is situated at the front end la of the housing. In the exemplary embodiment, this light-emitting device 70 is a line laser, which is situated in the housing above the ejecting channel 9. The laser 70 emits in the forward direction from a housing opening 71 in front of the stapler 1. As can be seen in FIGS. 20, 21, the line laser emits, as its light beam 72, a light plane directed at the particular object. This light plane can be perceived on the object as a projected straight running line 72a. Since the laser 70 emits light from the housing opening 71 in the as exactly as possible middle parting plane of the housing, which is also situated in the middle of the ejecting channel 9 and in the middle of the base leg 12a of the staples, especially the staples 12 which are present in the ejecting channel 9, the projected line 72a reflects the middle of the base leg 12a of the staples 12 being ejected. Hence, an operator of the stapler can set the staples 12 as precisely as possible, orienting himself to the line 72a projected onto the particular object, which indicatesin terms of the longitudinal extension of the base leg 12athe middle of the base leg 12a, if a staple ejection were to take place in this position of the stapler. Thus, the line laser 70 has the function of a positioning aid and the operator can orient himself to the projected line 72a to achieve a particular orientation of the stapler 1 and thus a particular orientation of a staple 12 to be ejected.

[0132] In some embodiment, the light-emitting device 70, designed here as a line laser, as well as any other conceivable light-emitting device as a positioning aid, are able to be switched on and off, for example, by a switch or a button on the stapler 1. Likewise, in certain embodiments of a stapler according to the present disclosure, it may be provided that an automatic switching on and off of the respective light-emitting device is provided when certain conditions are present, in particular, it can be switched on and off as a function. For example, an automatic switching on may occur when an operator touches the trigger 29 or his finger comes close to it and is detected. In addition or alternatively, it may also be provided that the at least one detecting device 19, 20 in the area of the contact surface 11 must detect the presence of an object directly beneath the contact surface 11 in order for the respective light-emitting device to be automatically switched on for the display of optically perceivable position information in regard to a staple position.

[0133] The line laser 70 has a round circular housing 74 in cross section, which is arranged inside the housing of the stapler 1 in a holder 75. The holder 75 likewise has a round circular receptacle 76 in cross section for this purpose, in which the line laser 70 is arranged and mounted. A longitudinal axis of the round circular receptacle 76 is directed downward at a slant onto the respective object and with a spacing in front of the stapler 1. On the outer surface 74a of the housing 74 of the line laser 70 there is arranged an elastically stretched O-ring 77. A segment of the O-ring 77 is situated in a recess 78 of the wall of the holder 75, so that this segment of the O-ring 77 is accessible to grasping. By a rotary activation of the O-ring 77 through the recess 78, it is possible to change the rotary position of the line laser 70 in its holder 75. The O-ring 77, arranged rigidly on the housing 74 of the laser 70, carries along the laser 70 during this activation, so that the laser 70 rotates in the holder 75. The slight clamping of the O-ring 77 in the holder 75, which is also present, is overcome during the activation and allows very slight angles of rotation of the laser 70 in the holder 75 to be performed and adjusted.

[0134] By rotating the laser 70, the orientation of the line 72a projected by it on an object can be changed. A deviation of the actual rotary position from the designed nominal position possibly occurring when installing the laser 70 in the holder 75 might mean that the projected (light) line 72a has at least a slight slanted trend in regard to the base leg 12a of the respective staple 12. With the O-ring 77 and the recess 78 in the holder 75, a correction of such wrong orientations can be done quickly and easily and the laser can be oriented exactly in its nominal position. Such a correction can even be done quickly and easily after the assembly and delivery of the stapler, if such a wrong orientation is discovered only during use.

[0135] The drawings show two further light-emitting devices 80, which likewise indicate position information on a staple 12 being ejected. These two light-emitting devices may likewise be lasers, especially as line lasers. The two identically designed light-emitting devices 80 are each situated on one side of the stapler beneath the housing and substantially above the ejecting channel. The respective line laser 80 likewise emits its light from a housing opening slanting downward onto the particular object and it can once again be optically perceived there as a straight projected line. The layout and arrangement of the two line lasers 80 as well as their arrangement in a holder including a possibility of adjustment can be provided in accordance with the solution for the laser 70.

[0136] Each of the two lasers 80 emit a light plane on different sides of the stapler, each of them projecting a line 80a on the particular object, being oriented perpendicular to the line 70a and aligned with the center line of the ejecting channel. The lines 80a furthermore run in alignment with the base leg 12a of a staple 12 being ejected. Moreover, the lines 80a projected by the lasers 80 on either side of the stapler are aligned with each other. Thus, the two light-emitting devices signal the longitudinal trend of a base leg 12a of a staple being ejected or the plane in which the three legs of a staple 12 being ejected are situated. Hence, the two light-emitting devices 80 interacting with each other also serve as a positioning aid to eject a staple in a predeterminable position and set it in an object.

[0137] In an alternative embodiment, the light-emitting devices 70, 80 may also be formed with light sources other than lasers. Thus, in other embodiments, lasers may be replaced in particular by one or more LEDs 86. In particular for LEDs as the light-emitting device 80, a kind of light shaft 85 can be formed each time on the housing, which in certain embodiments has a transparent or at least partly transparent cover 84. The respective light shaft 85 in certain embodiments lies in the plane whose position is to be indicated by the respective light-emitting devices. Thus, if the stapler has a light shaft on either side of the stapler 1 with at least one shining LED situated therein, and capable of being switched on and off, then each of the two light shafts 85 will be situated within the staple plane formed by the three legs of the staple being ejected.

[0138] In one embodiment of the stapler 1 according to the present disclosure, one or more light-emitting devices may also be provided in a light shaft, especially devices which can shine in different colors. Alternatively, two or more light-emitting devices can also be provided in a light shaft each of them shining in only one, but not the same color. Different colors can, however, also be produced by lasers as the light-emitting devices. With such embodiments, it is possible to signal not only position information but also one or more further pieces of operating or state information, such as whether the stapler 1 is ready for use, and/or whether a malfunction is present and/or which mode the stapler is in and/or whether the detection device of the trigger 29 has detected a finger on the trigger 29. Instead of or in addition to different colors for relaying optically perceivable information, blinking signals of the light-emitting devices or otherwise varying light emissions of the particular light-emitting devices can also be provided.

[0139] The figures also show the display/control device of the stapler as a membrane keypad 33. The membrane keypad in the one exemplary embodiment is arranged on a sloping side surface of the main housing section 2 of the stapler 1. This membrane keypad 33 may have buttons for various functions which can be set or called up. In particular, the membrane keypad may be provided with one or more buttons for setting the operating modes. Likewise, the membrane keypad 33 may be provided with optically perceivable display devices, to signal set functions, values, malfunctions, charge state of the storage battery and/or operating modes in an optically perceivable manner. Such display devices may be light-emitting devices and/or alphanumerical displays integrated in the membrane keypad. Optionally, light-emitting devices and/or alphanumerical displays can also be integrated in buttons of the membrane keypad. The light-emitting devices and/or the at least one alphanumerical display may also optionally represent optically perceivable information in different and changing colors, just as a blinking mode is also possible for this. In this way, in particular, warning colors such as red can indicate especially important information. In other embodiments according to the present disclosure, the stapler may also be provided with alternative display and control devices. One such device can be a touchscreen, for example.

[0140] Various embodiments of the stapler of the present disclosure comprise a housing assembly with a main housing section and a handle section that extends away from the main housing section, wherein an ejector device is arranged in the main housing section, by way of which each time a fastener can be accelerated to eject the fastener from an exit opening of the stapler, a magazine device for holding a supply of fastener on the stapler, a driving device for the ejector device, which comprises an electric motor as well as a power supply device, which is designed in particular as an energy storage device, such as a rechargeable electrical storage battery, which can be or is electrically connected to the electric motor, at least one triggering device with an activatable trigger, by whose activation at least one fastener can be accelerated by way of the ejector device thereby set in motion and ejected from the exit opening, wherein the activatable trigger is arranged in the area of the handle section of the housing. The electric motor is arranged in the handle gripping section and its axis of rotation does not run parallel to a longitudinal axis of a path of acceleration of the ejector.

[0141] In certain such embodiments, the power supply device is situated in the area of one end of the handle, such as at the end of the handle.

[0142] In certain such embodiments, the power supply device is an interchangeable electric storage battery, which can be installed in a receptacle arranged at one end of the handle section and from which it can be removed, while at least one electric power supply line for the motor is arranged solely in the handle.

[0143] In certain such embodiments, the handle section of the housing is provided with a grip, especially an ergonomically configured grip.

[0144] In certain such embodiments, the axis of rotation in relation to an acceleration path of the ejector is an angle chosen from a range of 60 to 120, preferably with an angle of at least approximately 90.

[0145] In certain such embodiments, the electric motor situated in the handle section is a brushless direct-current motor.

[0146] In certain such embodiments, a gearing switched in after the motor and situated in the handle, especially a planetary gearing.

[0147] Other embodiments of the stapler of the present disclosure comprise a housing assembly with a main housing section and a handle section, which extends away from the main housing section, wherein an ejector device is arranged in the main housing section, by way of which each time a fastener can be accelerated to eject the fastener from an exit opening of the stapler, a magazine device for holding a supply of staples on the stapler, which can be releasably attached in the area of an ejecting channel on a carrier piece of the stapler by way of a quick lock, a driving device for the ejector device, which can be or is connected to a power supply device, at least one triggering device of a triggering device with an activatable trigger, by whose activation at least one fastener can be accelerated by way of the ejector device thereby set in motion and ejected from the exit opening; characterized by a fill level display or a fill level signal device for signaling a supply of staples contained in the magazine.

[0148] In certain such embodiments, the fill level display or the fill level signal device is arranged on the magazine.

[0149] In certain such embodiments, different optically perceptible markings are provided to symbolize the respective fill level.

[0150] In certain such embodiments, markings, especially different colored markings, of the fill level display are arranged on one wall of the magazine.

[0151] In certain such embodiments, a spring-loaded slide in the magazine, which is provided for the advancing of a stack of staples in the magazine, wherein the slide is provided with an indication device, especially a line or arrow oriented to the markings, with which the fill level display each time indicates a currently present supply of staples in the magazine.

[0152] In certain such embodiments, the stapler comprises a device for outputting an acoustic signal representing a determined fill level.

[0153] Other embodiments of the stapler of the present disclosure comprise a housing assembly with a main housing section and a handle section, which extends away from the main housing section, wherein an ejector device is arranged in the main housing section, by way of which each time a fastener can be accelerated to eject the fastener from an exit opening of the stapler, a magazine device for holding a supply of staples on the stapler, a driving device for the ejector device, which can be or is connected to a power supply device, at least one triggering device of a triggering device with an activatable trigger, by whose activation at least one fastener can be accelerated by way of the ejector device thereby set in motion and ejected from the exit opening, characterized by at least one light-emitting device arranged in the housing assembly, which is situated such that its emitted light contains optically perceptible position information on U-shaped staples which can be ejected by the stapler.

[0154] In certain such embodiments, the stapler includes at least one light-emitting device with which a directed light beam can be emitted from the housing in the direction of an object.

[0155] In certain such embodiments, the light beam contains optically perceptible position information about a plane in which a staple plane of ejectable staples extends.

[0156] In certain such embodiments, the light beam contains optically perceptible position information about a midplane of ejectable staples.

[0157] In certain such embodiments, the at least one light-emitting device is situated in the housing assembly and contains position information about a plane in which a staple plane of ejectable staples extends, especially U-shaped staples.

[0158] In certain such embodiments, the at least one light-emitting device is situated in the housing assembly behind a transparent or at least semitransparent cover or a luminous body or an optical fiber.

[0159] In certain such embodiments, the stapler includes at least two light-emitting devices arranged on the housing, which contain on two different sides of the housing assembly position information about a plane in which a staple plane of ejectable staples extends.

[0160] In certain such embodiments, the stapler includes multiple different light-emitting device, with which light can be emitted in different colors, or by the at least one light-emitting device with which light can be emitted in different colors, wherein the different colors in addition to the position information can also represent state information about the stapler in an optically perceptible manner.

[0161] In certain such embodiments, the stapler includes an adjusting device of the light-emitting device, by which a position of the light-emitting device in a holder can be changed so that a direction of emission of the light emitted by the light-emitting device can be changed and set.

[0162] In certain such embodiments, the adjusting device can change and set a rotation position of the light-emitting device in its holder.

[0163] Other embodiments of the stapler of the present disclosure include a housing assembly with a main housing section and a handle section, which extends away from the main housing section (3), wherein an ejector device is arranged in the main housing section, by way of which each time a fastener can be accelerated to eject the fastener from an exit opening of the stapler, a magazine device for holding a supply of staples on the stapler, a driving device for the ejector device, which can be or is connected to a power supply device, at least one triggering device of a triggering device with an activatable trigger, by whose activation at least one fastener can be accelerated by way of the ejector device thereby set in motion and ejected from the exit opening, characterized in that the at least one triggering device comprises a detection device for the detection of a body part, especially a finger, placed on the trigger.

[0164] In certain such embodiments, the detection device for the detection of a body part placed on the trigger is situated in the activatable trigger or on the housing immediately alongside the activatable trigger.

[0165] In certain such embodiments, the detection device for the detection of a body part placed on the trigger contains a proximity sensor, a photodiode or a photoresistor.

[0166] In certain such embodiments, the stapler includes a device with which a detection signal of the detection device can be sent to a control system of the stapler, and the control system is designed such that the detection signal is a requirement for the releasing of an ejecting of a staple.

[0167] In certain such embodiments, the detection signal for the presence of a body part can be utilized to switch on the at least one light-emitting device.

[0168] In certain such embodiments, the stapler includes at least one detecting device in the area of the contact surface to detect the presence of an object beneath the contact surface.

[0169] In certain such embodiments, the stapler includes a device with which a detection signal of the detecting device can be sent to a control system of the stapler, and the control system is designed such that the detection signal of the at least one detecting device is a requirement for the releasing of the ejecting of a staple.

[0170] In certain such embodiments, the electric motor is situated in the handle gripping section and its axis of rotation runs not parallel to a longitudinal axis of an acceleration path of the ejector.

[0171] In certain such embodiments, the activatable trigger is situated in the area of the handle section of the housing.

[0172] In certain such embodiments, the trigger can be activated against the spring forces of at least two spring elements, wherein upon an activation, the trigger is at first activated only against the spring force of the first spring and only during the further activation is the trigger activated against the spring forces of both spring elements.

[0173] In certain such embodiments, the stapler includes a clinch device with which two legs of a staple emerging from an exit opening of the stapler can be bent.

[0174] Other embodiments of the stapler of the present disclosure include a housing assembly with a main housing section and a handle section, which extends away from the main housing section, wherein an ejector device is arranged in the main housing section, by way of which each time a fastener can be accelerated to eject the fastener from an exit opening of the stapler, a magazine device for holding a supply of staples on the stapler, a driving device for the ejector device, which can be or is connected to a power supply device, a clinch device by which two legs of a staple emerging from an exit opening of the stapler can be bent, at least one triggering device of a triggering device with an activatable trigger, by whose activation at least one fastener can be accelerated by way of the ejector device thereby set in motion and ejected from the exit opening, characterized in that at least one detecting device for detecting the presence of an object beneath the contact surface is provided in the area of the contact surface at which at least one clinch element of the clinch device for the bending of staples emerges from the contact surface during a stapling process.

[0175] In certain such embodiments, the stapler includes at least two detecting device are provided in the area of the contact surface, arranged spaced apart from each other.

[0176] In certain such embodiments, the at least two detecting device arranged at a spacing from each other are situated in the area of mutually opposite side edges of the substantially rectangular exit opening.

[0177] In certain such embodiments, the at least two detecting device are situated in the area of the two mutually opposite side edges of the exit opening and arranged with a larger spacing from each other.

[0178] In certain such embodiments, the at least one detecting device is an optical detecting device.

[0179] In certain such embodiments, the at least one detecting device is a mechanically activatable detecting device.

[0180] In certain such embodiments, the stapler includes a device of the triggering device with which at least two different operating modes of the stapler can be set, whereby in the first operating mode only one stapling process can be triggered by a single activating of the triggering device, such that only one staple can be ejected and its legs can be bent by way of the clinch device, and in a second operating mode multiple successive stapling processes can be triggered with a single activating of the triggering device, such that each time one staple can be ejected and its legs can be bent by way of the clinch device.

[0181] In certain such embodiments, the second operating mode each stapling process with a staple occurring after a single triggering process can only be enabled by the control system of the stapler after the at least one detecting device has detected an object underneath the contact surface.

[0182] In certain such embodiments, in the second operating mode each stapling process occurring after a single triggering process can only be enabled by the control system of the stapler after both of the at least two detecting devices situated at a spacing from each other have detected an object underneath the contact surface.

[0183] In certain such embodiments, the at least one triggering device comprises a detection device for the detection of a body part located on the trigger, especially a finger.

[0184] In certain such embodiments, the stapler includes a device with which a detection signal of the detection device can be sent to a control system of the stapler, and the control system is designed such that the detection signal is a requirement for the releasing of the ejecting of a staple.

[0185] Other embodiments of the stapler of the present disclosure include a housing assembly with a main housing section and a handle section, which extends away from the main housing section, wherein an ejector device is arranged in the main housing section, by way of which each time a fastener can be accelerated to eject the fastener from an exit opening of the stapler, a magazine device for holding a supply of staples on the stapler, a driving device for the ejector device, which can be or is connected to a power supply device, a clinch device by which two legs of a staple emerging from an exit opening of the stapler can be bent, at least one triggering device of a triggering device with an activatable trigger, by whose activation at least one fastener can be accelerated by way of the ejector device thereby set in motion and ejected from the exit opening, characterized in that device of the triggering device are provided with which at least two different operating modes of the stapler can be set, whereby in the first operating mode only a stapling process can be triggered by an activation of the triggering device such that only one staple can be ejected and its legs can be bent by way of the clinch device, and in a second operating mode several consecutive stapling processes can be triggered with one, and in certain embodiments only one, activation of the triggering device, such that each time one staple can be ejected and its legs can be bent by way of the clinch device.

[0186] In certain such embodiments, the stapler includes at least one releasing device provided in addition to the triggering device, which provides a release signal to perform a stapling process to the control system in at least one of the two operating modes when a predetermined condition is fulfilled.

[0187] In certain such embodiments, the releasing device comprises at least one detecting device with which a presence of an object in the area of the contact surface can be detected, especially a contact between the contact surface and the object.

[0188] In certain such embodiments, the stapler includes at least one detecting device for detecting the presence of an object beneath the contact surface is provided in the area of the contact surface.

[0189] In certain such embodiments, the stapler includes a detecting device as the releasing device arranged in the area of the trigger, with which a presence of a body part on the trigger can be detected.

[0190] In certain such embodiments, the stapler is operable in a semiautomatic operating mode, in which when the trigger is permanently activated one stapling process of a series of stapling processes can in each case be performed after the stapler is lifted off from the object after a previous stapling process and then set back down on the object, wherein the lifting off and setting down once more can be detected by way of at least one detection device.

[0191] In certain such embodiments, the stapler is operable in an automatic mode, in which when the trigger is permanently activated in a given interval of time, stapling processes of a series of stapling processes can in each case be performed, wherein stapling processes can be performed for as long as the trigger remains activated and the stapler is present by its contact surface on an object without interruption.

[0192] In certain such embodiments, the time interval can be adjusted and/or set in a teach-in mode of the stapler.

[0193] In certain such embodiments, the driving device comprises an electric motor and a storage battery which can be connected to the motor.

[0194] Other embodiments of the stapler of the present disclosure include a housing assembly with a main housing section and a handle section, which extends away from the main housing section, wherein an ejector device is arranged in the main housing section, by way of which each time a fastener can be accelerated to eject the fastener from an exit opening of the stapler, a magazine device for holding a supply of staples on the stapler, which can be releasably attached in the area of an ejecting channel on a carrier piece of the stapler by way of a quick lock, a driving device for the ejector device, which can be or is connected to a power supply device, at least one triggering device of a triggering device with an activatable trigger, by whose activation at least one fastener can be accelerated by way of the ejector device thereby set in motion and ejected from the exit opening; characterized by a display and control device having a membrane keypad device, which comprises control elements as membrane keypad elements by whose activation one can adjust settings for the stapler and/or change the states of the stapler.

[0195] In certain such embodiments, the stapler can be switched to a single ejection operating mode and a semiautomatic operating mode in which several stapling processes can be performed in succession after only a single activating of the trigger, wherein the display and control device comprises display device for signaling the operating mode which is switched on.

[0196] In certain such embodiments, the stapler includes a device for switching the stapler into an automatic mode in which stapling processes are performed automatically in succession at a given or predeterminable interval of time, wherein the display and control device comprises display device for signaling the operating mode which is switched on.

[0197] In certain such embodiments, the display and control device comprises at least one membrane keypad element for setting the operating mode.

[0198] In certain such embodiments, the stapler includes a display device for signaling a malfunction of the stapler.

[0199] In certain such embodiments, the stapler includes a display device for a charge state of a storage battery.

[0200] In certain such embodiments, the display device for the charge state can also signal a malfunction of the stapler, especially by a different display mode of the display device, especially by a change in color and/or by a change into blinking mode.

[0201] In certain such embodiments, the stapler includes at least one light-emitting device arranged in the housing assembly, which is situated such that its emitted light contains optically perceptible position information on the U-shaped staples which can be ejected from the stapler.

[0202] In certain such embodiments, the display and control device comprises a display device to signal an on state of the light-emitting device.

[0203] In certain such embodiments, the membrane keypad device comprises a membrane keypad operating piezoelectrically or by way of mechanical click switches.

[0204] In certain such embodiments, the display and control device is arranged on a side surface, especially an inclined side surface, of the main housing section.

[0205] Other embodiments of the stapler of the present disclosure include a housing assembly with a main housing section and a handle section, which extends away from the main housing section, wherein an ejector device is arranged in the main housing section, by way of which each time a fastener can be accelerated to eject the fastener from an exit opening of the stapler, a magazine device for holding a supply of staples on the stapler, which can be releasably attached in the area of an ejecting channel on a carrier piece of the stapler by way of a quick lock, a driving device for the ejector device, which can be or is connected to a power supply device, at least one triggering device of a triggering device with an activatable trigger, by whose activation at least one fastener can be accelerated by way of the ejector device thereby set in motion and ejected from the exit opening, characterized in that the quick lock is provided with guiding device, which move the magazine in succession in two different directions, not parallel to each other, during the movement of installing the magazine on the carrier piece.

[0206] In certain such embodiments, the stapler includes guiding device, which guides the movement of the magazine in succession in two mutually perpendicular directions during a movement of installing the magazine.

[0207] In certain such embodiments, one of the two directions is oriented at least substantially parallel to a flat contact surface of the stapler on which the exit opening is situated.

[0208] In certain such embodiments, to remove a magazine arranged on the stapler the guiding device are configured such that the stapler can move parallel to the contact surface as far as an end stop and then the stapler can be lifted off from the magazine.

[0209] In certain such embodiments, the stapler includes a hand-operable releasing device of the quick lock, with which a locking or a form fitting of the quick lock can be removed.

[0210] In certain such embodiments, the quick lock, especially a swivel lever of the quick lock, is provided with a locking lug which interacts with the magazine.

[0211] In certain such embodiments, the stapler includes a profiled locking lug, which in a locking position lies against two nonparallel surfaces of the magazine, such that both a movement trajectory of the locking lug is limited and a form fitting locking of the quick lock occurs.

[0212] In certain such embodiments, at least one swivel lever of the quick lock, which can swivel about a swivel axis running perpendicular to the contact surface.

[0213] In certain such embodiments, the swivel lever can be pretensioned with a spring element, wherein the swivel lever can be swiveled against a spring force of the spring element about the swivel axis and a locking lug of the swivel lever can be lifted out from a locking position to remove the magazine.

[0214] In certain such embodiments, the swivel axis extends through the swivel lever.

[0215] In certain such embodiments, a self-locking of the quick lock when a tensile force is exerted on the magazine and when a swivel lever is not activated.

[0216] In certain such embodiments, the electric motor is situated in the handle section of the housing and an axis of rotation of the electric motor extends not parallel to a longitudinal axis of an acceleration path of the ejector.

[0217] In certain such embodiments, the stapler includes a clinch device, by which two legs of a staple emerging from an exit opening of the stapler can be bent.

[0218] Other embodiments of the stapler of the present disclosure include a housing assembly with a main housing section and a handle section, which extends away from the main housing section, wherein an ejector device is arranged in the main housing section, by way of which each time a fastener can be accelerated to eject the fastener from an exit opening of the stapler, a magazine device for holding a supply of staples on the stapler, which can be releasably attached in the area of an ejecting channel on a carrier piece of the stapler by way of a quick lock, a driving device for the ejector device, which can be or is connected to a power supply device, at least one triggering device of a triggering device with an activatable trigger, by whose activation at least one fastener can be accelerated by way of the ejector device thereby set in motion and ejected from the exit opening, characterized by a quick lock, which is provided with a hand-operable releasing device of the quick lock, wherein a locking or form fitting of the quick lock can be removed by way of the releasing device, and wherein the quick lock comprises as releasing device at least one swivel lever, which can swivel about a swivel axis running at least substantially perpendicular to the contact surface.

[0219] Other embodiments of the stapler of the present disclosure include a housing assembly with a main housing section and a handle section, which extends away from the main housing section, wherein an ejector device is arranged in the main housing section, which has an ejector, by way of which each time a fastener can be accelerated to eject the fastener from an exit opening of the stapler, a magazine device for holding a supply of staples on the stapler, which can be releasably attached in the area of an ejecting channel on a carrier piece of the stapler by way of a quick lock, a driving device for the ejector device, which can be or is connected to a power supply device, at least one triggering device of a triggering device with an activatable trigger, by whose activation at least one fastener can be accelerated by way of the ejector device thereby set in motion and ejected from the exit opening, characterized by a blocking device, which can be arranged in at least two end positions, wherein the blocking device in its first end position is located in the movement trajectory of the ejector and in the second end position it clears the movement trajectory of the ejector.

[0220] In certain such embodiments, the blocking device can be converted from its first to its second end position by way of a magazine of the magazine device which can be introduced into its receptacle on the stapler.

[0221] In certain such embodiments, the blocking device is swivel-mounted on the stapler, and in that the magazine located in its receptacle on the stapler holds the blocking device in its second end position, wherein the blocking device is releasable by the magazine when the magazine is removed from the stapler, so that the blocking device can swivel from its second end position to its first end position and in this way blocks the ejector.