US5398918A — Linear motion multiple stapling system for office…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 213 words

A sheet stacking, registration and set fastening system for stacking, registering and fastening stacked sets of plural printed sheets fed from a reproduction apparatus onto a stacking area of a defined area stacking tray, comprising: a vertically extending laterally movable sheet stacking edge registration system adjacent at least one edge of said stacking tray for edge registering sheets stacked in said stacking tray in an edge registration area; a set fastening system laterally movable parallel to said edge registration area of said stacking tray to fasten a stack of sheets edge registered in said stacking tray in plural different fastening positions; said sheet stacking edge registration system having plural movable components providing access therethrough to said stacking tray by said set fastening system; said set fastening system continuously extending into said stacking area of said stacking tray through said edge registration system for said plural different fastening positions; said sheet stacking edge registration system being automatically movable in coordination with said movement of said set fastening system to not obstruct said set fastening system for said plural different fastening positions yet maintain registration of a stack of sheets in said stacking tray stacking area at said edge registration area thereof with at least a portion of said plural components of said registration system.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 213 words

A sheet stacking, registration and set fastening system for stacking, registering and fastening stacked sets of plural printed sheets fed from a reproduction apparatus onto a stacking area of a defined area stacking tray, comprising: a vertically extending laterally movable sheet stacking edge registration system adjacent at least one edge of said stacking tray for edge registering sheets stacked in said stacking tray in an edge registration area; a set fastening system laterally movable parallel to said edge registration area of said stacking tray to fasten a stack of sheets edge registered in said stacking tray in plural different fastening positions; said sheet stacking edge registration system having plural movable components providing access therethrough to said stacking tray by said set fastening system; said set fastening system continuously extending into said stacking area of said stacking tray through said edge registration system for said plural different fastening positions; said sheet stacking edge registration system being automatically movable in coordination with said movement of said set fastening system to not obstruct said set fastening system for said plural different fastening positions yet maintain registration of a stack of sheets in said stacking tray stacking area at said edge registration area thereof with at least a portion of said plural components of said registration system.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 44 words

The sheet stacking, registration and set fastening system of claim 1, wherein said set fastening system comprises a stapler head with stapling jaws extending into said stacking area which moves in a simple linear path parallel to but inside of said edge registration area.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 62 words

The sheet stacking, registration and set fastening system of claim 1, wherein both said edge registration system and said movable set fastening system are outside of said stacking tray and said defined stacking area and said edge registration area extends slightly beyond one edge of said stacking tray so that said stacking tray cannot interfere with movement of said set fastening system.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 50 words

The sheet stacking, registration and set fastening system of claim 1, wherein said edge registration system comprises a pair of resiliently biased wall backstop members, a respective backstop member extending on a respective side of said set fastening system, wherein said backstop members are movable with said set fastening system.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 28 words

The sheet stacking, registration and set fastening system of claim 1, wherein parts of said edge registration system are attached to opposite sides of said set fastening system.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 41 words

The sheet stacking, registration and set fastening system of claim 5, wherein said parts of said edge registration system are positioned close enough to said set fastening system to maintain a registration of a stacked set of even relatively small sheets.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 57 words

The sheet stacking, registration and set fastening system of claim 1, wherein said stacking tray is vertically movable and includes a first end mounted to said housing and a second end spaced from said housing and wherein said stacking tray is angled from a horizontal plane such that said second end is higher than said first end.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 40 words

The sheet stacking, registration and set fastening system of claim 1, wherein said sheet stacking edge registration system comprises a U-shaped member facing said stacking tray so that a bind edge of the sheets is located in said U-shaped member.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 78 words

A compiling and stapling apparatus for sheets fed from an output providing a sequential source of sheets, comprising: a compiler shelf located on said housing adjacent said output tray, said compiler shelf partially supporting said sheets; a stapler movably mounted on said housing, said stapler being longitudinally reciprocable in relation to said compiler shelf; and, a back wall of said housing, said back wall being operatively secured to said stapler so that it is movable with said stapler.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 78 words

A compiling and stapling apparatus for sheets fed from an output providing a sequential source of sheets, comprising: a compiler shelf located on said housing adjacent said output tray, said compiler shelf partially supporting said sheets; a stapler movably mounted on said housing, said stapler being longitudinally reciprocable in relation to said compiler shelf; and, a back wall of said housing, said back wall being operatively secured to said stapler so that it is movable with said stapler.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 21 words

The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said stapler is secured in a stapling carriage assembly mounted on a longitudinally extending rail.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 44 words

The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said back wall comprises a pair of sections, one located on each side of said stapler, wherein said sections are sufficiently close to said stapler to maintain a registration of a stacked set of even relatively small sheets.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 23 words

The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising resilient biasing means for urging said sections to a predetermined distance in relation to said stapler.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 32 words

The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said resilient biasing means comprises a pair of springs, a respective one of which is located between said stapler and a respective one of said sections.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 31 words

The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said back wall comprises a U-shaped member facing said output tray so that a bind edge of the sheets is located in said U-shaped member.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 119 words

A compiler apparatus for a copier having a single tray uphill compiler architecture, comprising: a housing having an output for providing a sequential source of sheets; a compiler shelf located on said housing, said compiler shelf partially supporting the sheets; a compiling mechanism mounted on said housing; a stapler movably mounted on said housing, said stapler being longitudinally reciprocable in relation to said compiler shelf; and, a back wall of said housing, said back wall being operatively secured to said stapler so that it is movable with said stapler, wherein said stapler and said compiler mechanism are so located in relationship to each other that said stapler has a strictly linear motion along a bind edge of the sheets.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 119 words

A compiler apparatus for a copier having a single tray uphill compiler architecture, comprising: a housing having an output for providing a sequential source of sheets; a compiler shelf located on said housing, said compiler shelf partially supporting the sheets; a compiling mechanism mounted on said housing; a stapler movably mounted on said housing, said stapler being longitudinally reciprocable in relation to said compiler shelf; and, a back wall of said housing, said back wall being operatively secured to said stapler so that it is movable with said stapler, wherein said stapler and said compiler mechanism are so located in relationship to each other that said stapler has a strictly linear motion along a bind edge of the sheets.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 23 words

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said stapler is secured in a stapling carriage assembly to which said back wall is operatively secured.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 45 words

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said stapler comprises: an anvil located below said compiler shelf; and, a clinch located above said compiler shelf, wherein said anvil is fixed to prevent movement in a vertical direction and said clinch is movable in the vertical direction.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 36 words

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said stapler and said back wall are located away from said compiler shelf so that said compiler shelf cannot interfere with a movement of said stapler and said back wall.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 48 words

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said compiler shelf includes a first end mounted to said housing and a second end spaced away from said housing and wherein said compiler shelf is angled from a horizontal plane such that said second end is higher than said first end.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 48 words

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said back wall comprises a pair of U-shaped members facing said output tray, a respective U-shaped member being located on a respective side of said stapler, so that a bind edge of the sheets is positioned in said pair of U-shaped members.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1998-03-20	1998-09-19	1999-03-21	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2002-03-20	2002-09-19	2003-03-21	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2006-03-20	2006-09-19	2007-03-21	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Linear motion multiple stapling system for office machine

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