Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02836634 2013-12-12
=
64371-999D1
- 1 -
ROLE PUNCIA
This is a divisional of Canadian National Phase Patent Application Serial No.
2,682,388
filed on March 30, 2007.
Field
Aspects of the inventions relate to hole punches and more particularly to desk-
top
= hole punches for punching holes through paper.
=
Background
lb Hole punches are employed to punch holes through sheet paper to allow
a user to
place the sheet paper in a ring binder. Typically, the hole punch includes one
or more
punch heads acted upon by a lever, whereby actuation of the lever causes the
punch heads
to pierce through the paper and create a hole. As the stack of paper to be
punched
increases from one to many sheets, the effort necessary to punch the holes
also increases.
Hole punches exist where additional punching force can be applied through the
provision
of a longer lever. This solution, however, typically results in a relatively
large hole punch,
increasing the overall footprint or envelope of the hole punch, and rendering
them less
suitable for use in smaller work areas.
Summary
Aspects of the invention are directed to improved hole punches, including hole
punches that balance the need for increased leverage yet take up minimal
amount of
space.
According to one aspect of the invention, a hole punch is provided. The hole
punch includes a base having a longitudinal axis, the base having a first end
and a second
end. The first lever has a first end pivotally connected to the first end of
the base. The
first lever is constructed and arranged to pivot about an axis that is
substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A second lever has a first end
pivotally connected
to the second end of the base and a second free end. The second lever is
constructed and
arranged to pivot about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis.
The second lever cooperates with the first lever such that actuation of the
free end of the
second lever causes the first lever to move. The hole punch further includes a
third lever
having a first end operatively coupled to the first lever and a second end
operatively
coupled to the second lever. At least one punch head is mounted to the base.
The punch
CA 02836634 2013-12-12
64371-999D1
- 2 -
head has a punch, with the third lever adapted to engage the punch and move
the punch
from a rest position to a deployed position upon actuation of the free end of
the second
lever.
According to another aspect of the invention, a hole punch is provided. The
hole
punch has a base having a longitudinal axis and first and second ends. A lever
system is
movable from a pre-actuation position to punch position. The lever system
includes a
first lever having a first end pivotally connected to the first end of the
base. The first
= lever is constructed and arranged to pivot about an axis that is
substantially perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis. A second lever having a first end is pivotally
connected to the
second end of the base and has a second free end. The second lever is
constructed and
arranged to pivot about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis.
The second lever cooperates with the first lever such that actuation of the
free end of the
second lever causes the first lever to move. At least one punch head having a
punch is
mounted to the base and is operatively coupled to the lever system such that
upon
actuation of the lever system, the punch moves from a rest position to a
deployed
position. The hole punch further includes a lock operatively coupled to the
lever system.
The lock is constructed and arranged to engage with the first and second
levers to hold
the levers in a stowed position located at or between the pre-actuation
position and the punch
position by substantially linear movement of the lock relative to the lever
system.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, a hole punch is provided.
The
hole punch includes a base having a longitudinal axis. The base has a first
upstanding
portion at a first end of the base and a second upstanding portion at a second
end of the
base. A lever system is movable from a pre-actuation position to punch
position. The
lever system includes a first lever having a first end pivotally connected to
the first
upstanding portion. The first lever is constructed and arranged to pivot about
an axis that
is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The first lever has a
first flange
near the first end of the first lever. The lever system further includes a
second lever
having a first end pivotally connected to the second upstanding portion and a
second free
end. The second lever is constructed and arranged to pivot about an axis that
is
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The second lever has a
second
flange near the first end of the second lever. An underside surface of the
second lever
engages the first lever such that actuation of the free end of the second
lever causes the
CA 02836634 2013-12-12
64371-999D1
- 3 -
first lever to move. A third lever has a first end connected to the first
flange and a
second end connected to the second flange. At least one punch head is mounted
to the
base and has a punch. The third lever is adapted to engage the punch and move
the
punch from a rest position to a deployed position upon actuation of the free
end of the
second lever. The hole punch further includes a lock operatively coupled to
the lever
system. The lock includes a hook disposed on the second lever and is
constructed and
arranged to engage a pocket disposed through the first lever to hold the
levers in a
stowed position located at or between the pre-actuation position and the punch
position.
Various embodiments of the present invention provide certain advantages. Not
all embodiments of the invention share the same advantages and those that do
may not
share them under all circumstances.
Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the
structure
of various embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below
with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the
drawings, similar features are represented by like reference numerals. For
purposes of
clarity, not every component is labeled in every drawing. Various embodiments
of the
invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the
accompanying
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of an illustrative embodiment of a hole
punch,
shown in a closed position;
FIG. 1a is a perspective front view of the hole punch of FIG. 1, shown in an
open
position;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the hole punch shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partial exploded rear perspective view of the hole punch shown in
FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a partial exploded perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of
a
hole punch;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a lever of the hole punch of FIG. 1;
CA 02836634 2013-12-12
64371-999D1
- 4 -
FIG. 5a is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the lever of FIG. 5, taken
along
line 5a-5a of FIG. 5;
FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view showing an underside view of a lever of
an
illustrative hole punch;
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a hole
punch showing a slide rule;
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of another illustrative embodiment of
the
hole punch showing a waste drawer; =
FIG. 9 is a side view of a punch head of a hole punch according to one
illustrative
embodiment;
FIG. 9a is an exploded Partial rear perspective view of the punch head of FIG.
9;
FIG. 10 is an exploded partial front perspective view of an illustrative
embodiment
of a hole punch; and
FIG. 11 is a rear partial perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a
hole
punch.
Detailed Description
This invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and
the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the
drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
or of
being carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology used
herein is
for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use
of
"including," "comprising," or "having," "containing," "involving," and
variations thereof
herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents
thereof as well
as additional items.
Aspects of the invention are described below with reference to illustrative
embodiments. It should be understood that reference to these illustrative
embodiments is
not made to limit aspects of the invention in any way. Instead, illustrative
embodiments
are used to aid in the description and understanding of various aspects of the
invention.
Therefore, the following description is intended to be illustrative, not
limiting.
Broadly, aspects of the present invention are directed to hole punches
constructed
in a manner whereby a balance is struck between the overall size (whether in
use or in a
CA 02836634 2013-12-12
64371-999D1
- 5 -
storage mode) of the hole punch and the actuation force required to punch the
holes. In
this regard, the efficiency with which holes can be punched through the sheet
or sheets of
paper, while maintaining a sleek and low profile hole punch is provided.
In one embodiment, the hole punch includes a base having a longitudinal axis,
with the base having first and second ends, and a lever arrangement joined to
the base.
The pivot axes of the levers are substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis. One
of the levers overlies and engages the other and may include a free-end such
that
applying a force on the free-end causes the lever to pivot in one direction
which then
presses on the other lever causing it to pivot in an opposite direction. The
two levers are
coupled to a third lever or bar element which then presses on punch heads.
In one embodiment, the hole punch includes a lock to hold the lever
arrangement
in a closed or partially closed position, thereby reducing the envelope of the
hole punch.
In this stowed position, in one embodiment, the lock is disposed on one lever
whereby a
hook slidingly engages a pocket on the other lever. Other suitable locking
arrangements
may be employed, as the present invention is not limited in this respect.
Other features may be included in illustrative embodiments. In one embodiment,
the hole punch includes a waste drawer slidingly received relative to the base
and
positionable beneath the punch head to capture a resulting chad after paper is
punched.
In one embodiment, the hole punch includes a slide rule to aid with alignment
of a sheet
of paper relative to the punch heads_ The slide rule has a first portion
slidingly engaged
. in the base and a second, upstanding portion. The upstanding portion may
include a
cover or otherwise be overmolded with a plastic material. To aid with sheet
insertion,
the punch heads may include a generously radiused entry. In one embodiment,
the sheet-
entry surface has a lead-in radius of approximately 11 mm. However, other
suitable
lead-in radii may be employed, as the present invention is not limited in this
respect.
It should be appreciated that various combinations of the above-described
features can be employed together; however the invention is not limited in
this respect.
Therefore, although the specific embodiments disclosed in the figures and
described in
detail below employ particular combinations of the above-discussed features,
it should be
appreciated that the present invention is not limited in this respect, as the
various aspects
_ of the present invention can be employed separately, or in different
combinations. Thus,
CA 02836634 2013-12-12
64371 -999D1
- 6 -
the particular embodiments described in detail below are provided for
illustrative
purposes only.
Turning now to the figures, and in particular, to FIGs. 1, la and 2, a hole
punch 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The
hole
punch 10 includes a base 12 having a longitudinal axis 13 running lengthwise
relative to
the base. The base also includes upstanding .end portions 14, 16, a plurality
of punch
heads 18 and a lever system 20 to activate the punch heads. The lever system
20
includes a first lever arm 22 pivotally joined to the upstanding end portion
14, and a
second pivotal arm 24 pivotally joined to the opposite upstanding portion 16
of the base.
Each lever arm is pivotally connected via hinges 27, 29, to the end portions
in a manner
such that their respective pivot axes 28, 30 are substantially perpendicular
to the
longitudinal axis 13 of the base 12.
Levers 24 and 22 are arranged in a manner such that lever 24 extends over
lever
22. Lever 24 includes a second free end 25 extending beyond the engagement
area
.15 (located generally at 23) of levers 22,24 that can be handled by a user
to actuate the hole
punch. In this regard, upon pressing down on the palm area 26 of the lever 24
in a
counterclockwise direction along arrow A, as shown in FIG. 1 a, lever 24
rotates about
pivot axis 28 and subsequently engages lever 22, causing it to rotate
clockwise in FIG. 1 a
about pivot 30. As a result, the levers rotate from the pre-actuation or rest
position of
FIG. la to the closed or punch position shown in FIGs. 1 and 2.
In one embodiment, lever system 20 also includes a third lever 32, with its
ends
respectively engaging levers 22,24, and also engaging the punch head 15. The
engagement between levers 22,24 and lever 32 is such that downward rotation of
the
levers 22,24 causes downward motion of lever 32 onto the punch heads. As will
be
discussed in greater detail, actuation of the punch heads via the lever 32
causes punches
within the punch heads to pierce through one or more sheets of paper (not
shown). In
this regard, the punch moves from a rest position to a deployed position upon
actuation
of the free end of the second lever.
As best shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the third lever 32 is coupled to
each
of the levers 22, 24 at end flanges 34, 36, respectively. In the embodiment
shown, each
flange engages the lever 32 via a pin connection 38, 40. As can be
appreciated, the
present invention is not limited in this regard, as other suitable connection
arrangements
CA 02836634 2013-12-12
64371-999D1 =
- 7 -
may be employed. In the embodiment shown, however, because the lever arms
22,24
are hinged to the base 12, linear motion of the pins 38,40 relative to the
lever arm 36
must occur to avoid binding the levers. Accordingly, as best shown in FIGs. 4
and 5, the
receiving holes 42 of the lever arm 32 are elongated so as to form a slot. In
this manner,
the lever arm 32 is able to slide relative to the pin connection 38, 40 as the
lever arms
rotate. Each flange 34, 36 includes a hole 34a, 36a to receive a pin 38, 40.
It should be
appreciated that the present invention is not limited in this regard, as other
suitable
connections may be employed. For example, rather than a pin 38,40, the flange
may
include a detent to snap into the hole in the bar 32.
Turning now to FIGs. 4, 5 and 5a, lever 32 includes a U-shaped channel member.
In the embodiment shown, lever 32 may be formed as a single piece of metal
stamped in
the shape shown; however, the present invention is not limited in this regard,
as other
suitable forming techniques may be employed, such as utilizing two or three
separate
pieces that are subsequently joined together via various joining techniques,
such as
welding.
In one embodiment, the lever is formed in a manner where the beam is taller in
=
the central area than at the ends. This arrangement may reduce the amount of
material
and weight of the lever, while maintaining its structural integrity. However,
the present
invention is not limited in this respect, as the beam height may be uniform
along its
length. In one embodiment, as shown, the lever 32 includes a thicker bottom
section 33,
which may be integral with the material prior to forming or attached
subsequently. In
this manner, the thicker section may be better able to withstand the opposing
force from
the punch heads during use.
It should be appreciated that the present invention is not so limited. In this
regard, lever 32 need not be formed in a U-shaped manner, as other suitable
arrangements for rending the lever more rigid may be employed. Indeed, the
lever may
be formed as a solid piece.
As can be seen in the figures, the end of the lever 22 contacts the underside
of
lever 24 and about the mid-section 23 of lever 24. Contrasting FIGs. 1 and la,
as lever
24 moves counterclockwise from the position shown in FIG. la to the position
shown in
FIG. 1, the end of the lever 22 slides along the under surface of lever 24. In
one
embodiment, as best shown in FIG. 6, the underside surface of lever 24
includes a curved
CA 02836634 2013-12-12
64371-999D1
- 8 -
section 50, which interacts with the end of lever 22 (not shown in FIG. 6 for
clarity). In
this regard, a controlled motion of the lever 22 to the closed position can be
accomplished in that the radius of curvature of the curved surface 50
corresponds to the
motion of the end of the lever 22 as it rotates about hinge 29.
It should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited in this
regard and
that lever 24 may not include the underside curved surface 50. In addition,
although the
curved section 50 is shown integral with lever 24, the present invention is
not limited in
this regard as the curved surface may be formed as a separate member that is
subsequently attached to the underside of lever 24.
To further facilitate smooth movement and operation of rotation of lever 22,
in
one embodiment, the end of the lever includes a roller bearing 52, as best
shown in
FIGs. 2 and 3 (Lever 24 has been removed in FIG. 3 for clarity). The roller
bearing is
free to rotate relative to the lever 22 such that a smooth and relatively
frictionless motion
occurs between the movement of lever 24 over lever 22. In the embodiment
shown, the
roller bearing 52 may be formed separate from the lever 22 and subsequently
mounted
thereto. It should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited in
this regard
and that the roller bearing need not be employed. For example, the end of the
lever 22
may be coated with a material with a reduced coefficient of friction to allow
sliding
motion of the levers 24, 22 relative to each other as the hole punch is
actuated.
To aid in aligning the paper to be punched relative to the punch heads so that
the
resulting holes in the paper are located in the desired position, a slide rule
may be
employed. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the slide rule 60 fits within the
base 12
and may be configured so as to slide along the base and be held in a desired
position.
The slide rule may be held in such a position through the use of a detent
mechanism or
merely by frictional engagement between the slide rule and the base. The slide
rule may
be infinitely adjustable along its length or may have preset positions at
which it locks so
that a user can simply move the slide rule to a desired corresponding
position. Such a
preset may be in the form of notches formed in the slide rule with a
corresponding detent
in the base to hold it in place. The slide rule itself may include
demarcations (whether in
inches or portions thereof, or centimeters or portions thereof) to indicate a
corresponding
dimensional position of the slide rule relative to the punch heads.
CA 02836634 2013-12-12
64371-999D1
- 9 -
In one embodiment, the base includes a window 62 for viewing the slide rule.
The base window 62 also includes a pointer 64 (in this illustrative embodiment
shown in
the shape of an arrow) that can be used to point to a section or demarcation
line on the
slide rule to allow a user to determine where the slide rule should be
positioned.
In one embodiment, the slide rule includes up-turned end 66, as shown, to act
as a buttress for the paper. This up-turned end 66 may include a cover 68. In
one
embodiment, the slide rule is formed of metal whereas the cover is formed of a
thermoplastic material. The cover may be held in place with an adhesive or
other
suitable connection technique, as the present invention is not limited in this
regard. In
Jo one embodiment, the cover may be formed on the slide rule during
manufacture, such as
during an overmold process. In this regard, the slide rule may be placed in a
mold and a
plastic material may be molded onto the end of the slide rule. In one
embodiment, the
overmolded material may be a thermoplastic material. However, as can be
appreciated,
the present invention is not limited in this respect as other suitable
materials for the
overmolded cover may be .employed. In one embodiment,- the cover material is
thermal
plastic elastomer (TPE).
The hole punch may include features to capture the resulting punched paper
from
the hole after a sheet of paper has been punched. These resulting chads may be
held
within a waste container disposed below the punch heads. In one embodiment, as
shown
in FIG. 8, this waste container may be configured as a drawer 80 whereby the
drawer
slides laterally relative to the base 12. The waste drawer includes a chad
receptacle 82
and may be held in the open or closed position with the use of suitable
detents 83. The
waste drawer includes a handle 84 to facilitate moving the waste drawer
between the
open and closed positions.
The drawer may be formed of a thermoplastic material, portions of which may be
formed.of a different material. For example, the receptacle 82 may be formed
of a hard
plastic material whereas the handle 84 may be formed of a softer material
having greater
frictional characteristics enabling it to be gripped with ease. For example,
the receptacle
82 may be formed of a polypropylene while the handle 84 may be formed of a
thermal
plastic elastomer (TPE) of a less durometer.
CA 02836634 2013-12-12
64371-999D1
- 10 -
Although a waste drawer is employed, the present invention is not limited in
this
regard, as other suitable receptacles may be employed. In addition, no
receptacle need
be employed and the chads may simply be expelled from the hole punch.
As can be seen in FIG. 1, items to be punched are inserted into the hole punch
by
placing the item beneath the punch heads 18. In prior hole punches, the paper
entry was
oftentimes inhibited because the sheet would not easily slip beneath the punch
heads. To
alleviate this deficiency, in one embodiment, the punch heads include a lead-
in surface
90 formed with a relatively large lead-in radius of curvature R, as shown in
FIG. 9,
allowing the sheet material to be funneled into position beneath the punch. In
one
embodiment, the radius of curvature R is approximately 11 mm. However, the
present
invention is not limited in this regard, as the radius of curvature may be
larger or smaller
as desired. As such, in another embodiment, the radius of curvature R is
approximately
12 mm, and in yet another embodiment of the invention, the radius of curvature
R is
approximately 10 mm. In one embodiment, the radius of curvature R is any
radius
between approximately 9.5 mm and approximately 12.5 mm.
Also as shown in FIGs. 1 and 9, the lead-in surface 90 includes a reduced
surface
contact area, namely, knife edge 92, that engages first with the sheet
material as the sheet
material is being funneled beneath the punch heads. This knife edge may aid in
positioning the sheet material. It should be appreciated that a knife edge
need not be
employed, as the present invention is not limited in this respect.
The punch head may be formed of any suitable material as the present invention
is not limited in this regard. In one embodiment, the punch head is at least
partially
formed of a low friction material, thereby allowing for further ease of entry
of the sheet
material. In one embodiment, the punch head is formed of a metallic material
that may
be coated with a low friction material. In still other embodiments, the punch
head may
be formed of a durable plastic material. Combinations of materials are also
contemplated, as the present invention is not limited in this respect.
Referring in particular to FIGs. 9 and 9a, in one embodiment, the punch head
18
includes a frame 94, a separate cover 96 and a punch 98. The frame 94 includes
a
housing portion 100 and a foot 102. A spring 104, which is held on the punch
98 via a
clip 106, biases the punch 98 toward the bar 32 when in a rest position. Upon
actuation
of the hole punch, as explained above, the bar 32 moves downward to force the
punch 98
CA 02836634 2013-12-12
64371-999D1
- 11 -
against the bias of the spring 104 from its rest position, thereby deploying
the cutting end
108 of the punch 98 through the end of the housing 100 toward the foot 102 to
pierce
through the sheet material.
As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 9a-, the cover 96 slides
onto
the frame 94 via rails 110 formed on both sides of the cover and guides 112
formed on
both sides of the frame. The cover is held in place via a detent arrangement
including
nubs 114 formed on each side of the cover and recesses 116 formed on each side
of the
housing. In one embodiment, the cover is formed of a plastic material whereas
the frame
is formed of a metal material; however, the present invention is not limited
in this regard
as any suitable materials may be employed.
As is conventional, the punch 98 is formed so as to produce a circular hole.
However, the shape of the cutting end 108 may be any desired shape, as the
present
invention is not limited in this regard. For example, the cutting end 108 may
have a
cross section in the shape of a polygon, such as, a square, a rectangle, or a
triangle, or
=
other shapes, such as an oval, a star, or a heart. Other desired shapes may be
employed.
The punch heads are fixed to the base, in one embodiment, via a screw 120. In
this regard, the base includes a hole 122 (see FIGs. 1,4 and 9) through which
the screw
passes and engages with a threaded hole 124 in the frame of the punch head. Of
course,
other suitable attachment arrangements may be employed, such as a fastener-
free manner
as a detent mechanism, as the present invention is not limited in this
respect.
The hole punch 10 may be configured such that the spacing between the holes
produced in the item to be punched is fixed; however, the present invention is
not limited
in this regard as the punch heads may be adjustable relative to the base. In
one
embodiment, the base includes a series of mounting areas including a plurality
of spaced
apart mounting holes 122. A user need only unscrew screw 120, relocate the
punch head
18 to the new position over one of the other mounting holes 122 in the base
and
thereafter reattach the punch head by screwing it to the base. Although a
mounting hole
is shown and described, the present invention is not limited in this regard,
as one oz more
mounting slots may be employed, allowing for a greater degree of
adjustability.
Although the hole punch may allow a user to adjust the spacing of the
resulting
holes on the sheet material to be punched, not all punch heads need be
adjustable. In this
regard, in one embodiment, the two punch heads at either end of the hole punch
may be
CA 02836634 2013-12-12
64371-999D1
- 12
fixed whereas the center punch head may be adjustable to two or more
positions.
Referring to FIG. 1, the end punch heads are fixed whereas the center punch
head can be
relocated over mounting holes 122 through the base 12.
= In one embodiment, the base 12 includes a channel 130 (see FIG. 1) to
slidingly
receive the foot 102 of the punch head. In this manner, the leading edge 131
of the foot
102 of the punch head does not interfere with the sheet to be inserted.
Turning now to FIGs. 10 and 11, according to one embodiment of the invention,
the hole punch 10 includes a lock 140 to hold the second lever 24 to the first
lever 22
(not shown in FIG. 10 for clarity) in a stowed position. The stowed position
need not
necessarily be the completely closed position but rather it can be a position
between the
open (or pre-actuation) position and the closed (or punch) position, as the
present
invention is not limited in this respect. In a preferred embodiment, the
stowed position
of the lever system 20 is the closed position.
The lock 140 may be disposed on the second lever 24 and includes a hook 142
that extends through an opening 143 in the second lever 24 to engage with the
first lever
22. In particular, as shown in FIG. 10, the hook 142 is disposed through an
opening 143
in the second lever 24 and engages a pocket 144 formed on the upper surface
146 of the
first lever 22. To move the lock 140 to the closed position where the hook 142
engages
the pocket 144 and to an open position where the hook is free of the pocket, a
slide
member 148 is attached to the hook 142. When assembled, the slide member is
positioned within a recess 150 formed in the second lever so as to maintain a
low profile
design.
The slide member 148 may be formed with a surface having ribs or knurls and
may be curved, as shown, to accommodate a user's finger, such as a thumb, to
move the
lock into the desired position. The slide member may be formed of any suitable
material
as the present invention is not limited in this regard. In one embodiment, the
slide
member is formed of a plastic material whereas the hook is formed of a metal
material.
In addition, the slide member may be formed with an increased friction surface
to
facilitate gripping, and in one embodiment, the slide member is formed of
thermal plastic
elastomer (TPE).
Also as shown in FIG. 10, the hole punch 10 may include a palm engaging
surface 26 on the free end 25 of the second lever 24. In the embodiment shown,
the palm
CA 02836634 2013-12-12
64371-999D1
- 13 -
engaging surface 26 is formed as a separate element that can be snapped onto
the free
end of the lever. However, it should be appreciated that the present invention
is not
limited in this regard and the palm engaging area may be integrally formed in
the free
end of the handle. In addition, the palm engaging area may also include a
surface portion
162 that is formed of a higher friction material such as thermal plastic
elastomer (TPE).
In addition, the grip area 162 may be overmolded onto the palm cover 26 or may
be
molded directly onto the free end of the handle as the present invention is
not limited in
this respect.
The underside 170 of the hole punch (see FIG. 6) may include rubber feet 172
to
prevent marring and increase gripping of the surface on which the hole punch
is used.
The underside of the base may also be formed with a single sheet material
formed of
rubber to achieve the noted functions described above, instead of a plurality
of individual
feet, as the present invention is not limited in this respect.
As can be appreciated, the hole punch may be formed of any suitable material,
as
the present invention is not limited in this regard. Similarly, the hole punch
may be sized
to accommodate any number of sheets including one, five, ten, twenty, forty or
more
sheets. In this regard, the larger capacity hole punches may be formed with
materials
that are different than lighter-duty hole punches. In one embodiment, the base
and the
lever system is formed of metal, as is the punch head frame and punch itself.
Other non-
structural components may be formed of a lower strength material, such as
plastic.
As mentioned above, some components of the hole punch may be formed of
thermal plastic elastomer (TPE). To apply the TPE to its corresponding
component, any
suitable technique may be employed, such as co-molding or over molding in
conjunction
with injection molding, vacuum molding, blow molding, compression molding,
transfer
molding, extrusion, casting, and/or thermal forming. In one embodiment, the
TPE
material may be heated to its plastic-flow phase and injected or drawn via a
vacuum into
a mold in which the component to be overmolded was previously placed or
formed. The
TPE material may then be allowed to solidify about the component. In another
embodiment, both the TPE material and the component material may be heated to
a
molten or plastic-flow phase and injected into a mold at substantially the
same time and
cooled substantially simultaneously or sequentially until both materials are
solid and
bonded together. In a further embodiment, the TPE material may be disposed on
a
CA 02836634 2013-12-12
64371-999D1
- 14 -
preformed piece in a desired location and may be cut, molded, such as by heat
molding,
or otherwise shaped into a desired configuration. In some embodiments, the TPE
material may form mechanical bonds, chemical bonds and/or other connections
with the
base component material.
It should also be appreciated that the hole punch need not be configured to
punch
spaced holes in a sheet so that the sheet can be inserted into a standard 3-
ring binder;
rather the punch head spacing may be altered by the user or the manufacturer,
as desired,
as described above, as the present invention is not limited in this respect.
Similarly,
aspects of the invention are not limited to employing three punch heads, as
aspects of the
to invention may be employed on hole punches having one, two, three, four,
five, six,
seven, eight, nine, ten, or more punch heads. Also, the size and/or shape of
the actual
holes to be punched may be varied depending upon the desired use for the hole
punch.
The foregoing written specification is to be considered to be sufficient to
enable
one skilled in the art to practice the invention. While the best mode for
carrying out the
invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the art to which this
invention
relates will recognize various alternative embodiments including those
mentioned above as
defined by the following claims. The examples disclosed herein are not to be
construed as
limiting of the invention as they are intended merely as illustrative of
particular
embodiments of the invention as enabled herein. Therefore, systems and methods
that are
functionally equivalent to those described herein are within the spirit and
scope of the
claims appended hereto. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in
addition to
those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the
art from the
foregoing description and fall within the scope of the appended claims.
What is claimed is:
