Abstract: An electric stapler includes a clamp part, a penetration part, a clinch part, and a motor, the penetration part, and the clinch part. The electric stapler performs binding processing accompanying rotation of the motor by sequentially performing a clamping process, a penetrating process, and a clinching process. The electric stapler includes a first position detection unit that detects that a rotational position of the motor passes a first position, a braking unit that applies braking to the motor after it is detected that the motor passes the first position, a difference calculation unit that calculates a difference between a position at which the motor is stopped by the braking unit and a predetermined stop target position of the motor; and a motor control unit that moves a rotational position of the motor to the stop target position by rotating the motor forward or in reverse by the calculated difference.

Abstract: Interactive tools and methods are provided. A particular interactive tool set includes a portable handheld tool and an alignment tool. The portable handheld tool includes a selective drive system. When the selective drive system is engaged, the portable handheld tool is operable perform a function and, when the selective drive system is not engaged, the portable handheld tool is not operable to perform the function. The alignment tool is physically separate and distinct from the portable handheld tool. The selective drive system engages in response to an indication of an aligned state of the alignment tool.

Abstract: An electric stapler includes: a driver for driving leg portions of a staple having a U-shaped section to penetrate the leg portions through a paper bundle; a table including a clincher for bending and forming the penetrated leg portions inwardly, the table for holding the paper bundle between the driver and the table; a motor for moving the table and the driver; a photo sensor for detecting an existence of the paper bundle inserted into a gap between the table and the driver; and a control portion for driving the motor. The photo sensor is disposed on the table in such a manner that a detection point of the photo sensor for detecting the paper bundle exists upwardly of a disposing position of the clincher by inclining an optical axis direction of a radiation light to be emitted from the photo sensor in a direction of the clincher.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a stapling unit including a stapler, a processing tray, a stapler moving mechanism, a sensor configured to scan sheets in a sheet width direction, and a controller configured to drive the stapler. The controller measures sheet width of the sheets according to an output of the sensor. The controller calculates a center position between other two sheet edges each orthogonal to a sheet edge where the stapler drives staples into stapling positions. The controller allocates the stapling positions in the two places with reference to the center position. The controller moves the stapler moving mechanism to the stapling positions.

Abstract: A self-diagnosing pierce nut installation apparatus including an installation head attached to an upper die member of a die press having a reciprocating plunger driving a pierce nut against a panel, piercing a slug from the panel upon closing of the press and a rod telescopically received in the plunger resiliently biased through the nut bore if a slug is pierced from the panel or against the panel if not pierced, and a sensor sensing axial movement of the rod, stopping the press if the rod engages the panel. A die located in the lower die member includes a slug sensor confirming receipt of the panel slug through the die member.

Abstract: A fastener driving device includes a housing, and a nose assembly carried by the housing. The nose assembly has a fastener drive track. The fastener driving device also includes an engine carried by the housing and configured to drive a fastener out of the drive track and into a workpiece during a drive stroke, a contact trip that includes an electrical actuator constructed and arranged to move a portion of contact trip to sense whether the workpiece is in front of the nose assembly, and a trigger configured to activate the electrical actuator to move the portion of the contact trip.

Abstract: A hand-held drive-in tool (10) has a trigger switch (19) for triggering a drive-in process by drive unit (30) that drives a drive-in ram (13), a press-on feeler (18) which is arranged so as to be displaceable at a muzzle (16), which can detect that the drive-in tool pressed against a workpiece, and which prevents the actuation of a drive-in process in its initial position (41) and enables actuation of its drive-in process in its switching position (43), a component feeler (17) displaceably arranged at the muzzle (16) and capable of being actuated independently from the press-on feeler (18) and preventing actuation of a drive-in process in its initial position (42) and enabling the actuation of the drive-in process in its switching position (44), the component feeler (17) detecting fitting of an auxiliary constructional component (110) to the muzzle (16), with a drive-in process being initiated by the trigger switch (19) only when the component feeler (17) and the press-on feeler (18) are both in their respect

Abstract: A stapler includes a binding table, a clinch member disposed on the binding table, a staple striking unit disposed above the binding table, and a movable stage disposed so as to be slidable with respect to the binding table. The movable stage is formed with an engaging portion, and the engaging portion positions an end portion of sheets placed on the movable stage. The sheets are inserted and bound between the clinch member and the staple striking unit.

Abstract: A stapler having a driver unit vertically separated from its clincher unit, which has a clincher base with a clincher. The clincher base is disposed to vertically reciprocate, and sheets inserted between the base and driver unit are clamped between the base and the driver unit when the base is reciprocated. The stapler has a first motor to operate the driver, and a second motor to reciprocate the clincher base and operate the clincher. In sequence, the second motor reciprocates the base and makes the base clamp the sheets, and then stops; the first motor makes the driver drive out the staple, and then stops; the second motor makes the clincher clinch the staple legs having passed the sheets, the base is returned, and the second motor stops; and after clinching, the first motor returns the driver to the initial position, and then stops.

Abstract: A stapler apparatus is configured for recovering a binding mechanism reciprocally driven by a drive motor to an idling position region by inertial movement of the binding mechanism after a stop of the drive motor. The stapler apparatus includes an actuating position sensor that detects an actuating position of the binding mechanism before reaching the idling position region to attain a timing to stop the drive motor.

Abstract: A button indexing device used in a button attaching machine for attaching a button to be indexed in a specific orientation on a fabric of garments or the like, including lower mold provided at a button attaching position of the attaching machine, a driving section for turning the lower mold around a vertical axis, a laser beam source for irradiating a laser beam onto a point of a specified circular track of the button to be held in the lower mold around the vertical axis, an optical sensor for detecting light reflected from or scattered by the button, and a stop section for stopping said lower mold in a rotation position capable of obtaining the right orientation when said optical sensor detects the minimum or maximum amplitude.

Abstract: A self-diagnosing pierce nut installation apparatus including an installation head attached to an upper die member of a die press having a reciprocating plunger driving a pierce nut against a panel, piercing a slug from the panel upon closing of the press and a rod telescopically received in the plunger resiliently biased through the nut bore if a slug is pierced from the panel or against the panel if not pierced, and a sensor sensing axial movement of the rod, stopping the press if the rod engages the panel. A die located in the lower die member includes a slug sensor confirming receipt of the panel slug through the die member.

Abstract: A method for precisely aligning a product to be stapled in relation to a stapling device in a gatherer stapler, includes the steps of determining an exact position of the product to be stapled, comparing the determined position with an expected position of the product, supplying a determined positional deviation to a drive as a control variable and performing a compensatory movement by controlling at least one of respective drives of the gathering chain and of the stapling device so that the determined positional deviation is compensated for at the start of the stapling operation. A device for performing the method and a gatherer stapler are also provided.

Abstract: A universal and precise stapling assembly is provided and includes (a) a moveable stapling head for driving staples at precise locations through an aligned set of sheets on any one of plural types of alignment apparatus; (b) a drive device coupled to the stapling head for moving the stapling head relative to the any one of plural types of alignment apparatus and the aligned set of aligned sheets on the any one of the plural types of alignment apparatus; (c) sensors for sensing a position of the aligned set of sheets; and (d) a programmable controller connected to the drive device, to the sensors, and to the stapling head, and including calculating capability for precisely calculating a precise staple location responsively to a type of any one of the plural types of alignment apparatus and to the secured position of the aligned set of sheets, thereby reducing staple mislocation due to a tolerance stack up from components of the stapling head and components of any one of the plural types of alignment apparatus.

Abstract: A motor driven stapler in which there are no fears of cutting off and need for loosed part of the lead wires of photo sensor for detection of sheets to be bundled, is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting, in the molding of picture-frames, metal staples adapted to retain laminar backing elements for pictures, photographs and the like, comprising a beam which is arranged horizontally above the surface that supports the molding, two fixing tools which are guided on the beam transversely to two opposite sides of the molding, an actuation for adjusting the distance between the fixing tools along the beam as a function of the distance between the sides, and a further actuation for vertically actuating the fixing tools into the position for applying metallic staples in the sides.

Abstract: A powerized stapler device is disclosed including an electromagnet, preferably a solenoid, having a armature which is adjustable relative to the solenoid such that the permeable portions of the armature, in the non-energized condition of the solenoid, may be adjusted relative to the solenoid enabling the force exerted by the solenoid to be varied as a function of the initial position of the armature. In a further preferred embodiment, an extension of the armature is engaged with the stapler head whereby movements of the armature relative to the electromagnet also function to vary the space between the stapler head and the stapler anvil, adjustments to process thin work pieces functioning to reduce the spacing between stapler head and anvil as well as reducing the driving force exerted by the electromagnet.

Abstract: In a stapler for variably stapling a set or stack of sheets manually inserted through the stapler entrance path with different orientations, there is a sheet guide system with movable guide members automatically differently repositioned into different sheet guiding positions in the entrance path by the sheet stack insertion and its angle of insertion, including switching in between a corner angled stapling alignment position and a linear sheet edge aligned stapling position, respectively differently positioning the sheet stack for stapling. It may include a base plate, a pair of guide elements movably mounted on the base plate, and a fixed registration wall. The guide members in the corner angled stapling position may present opposing converging 45 degree angled edge registration surfaces to the inserted sheet stack. For edge stapling, the same guide members and/or the registration wall may present one, or two straight edge registration surfaces to the inserted stack.

Abstract: In an automatic fastening machine for installing fasteners in a workpiece provided with a hole for receiving a fastener having a longitudinal axis, wherein a work axis extends through the hole and wherein the fastener is held in a holding position prior to installation in the hole so that the fastener is oriented with the longitudinal axis thereof parallel to the work axis, a method and apparatus for detecting tipped or mis-oriented fasteners while in the holding position and prior to being upset in the workpiece, the method and apparatus utilizing at least one beam of energy which is influenced by the fastener orientation. Energy is radiated along at least one path intersecting the fastener when in the holding position and the radiated energy is received and a response is given to the amount of energy interrupted by the fastener in a manner providing an indiction if the fastener longitudinal axis is not parallel to the work axis.

Abstract: An end plating machine for a wood tie having opposite ends comprising a frame including horizontally spaced-apart first and second end frames with the frame including tie in-feed and out-feed portions. A conveyor is provided for positioning a tie between the end frames. First and second tie clampers are positioned adjacent the first and second end frames for clamping the ends of a tie positioned therebetween. First and second power rams are mounted on the first and second end frames, respectively, for driving an end plate into the ends of the tie while the tie is being clamped by the first and second tie clampers. First and second end plate hoppers are positioned on the first and second end frames, respectively, for supporting a plurality of end plates therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a conveyance of printed products are provided according to which the printed products are conveyed continuously and in successive manner in a conveying direction into a region adjacent a circuit when the circuit is open. The circuit includes at least two conductor parts and a voltage source. The printed products are scanned by simultaneously bringing the two conductor parts into scanning contact with a metallic contact portion of either a printed product or of a support therefore where such support is provided. The circuit is thus closed for allowing electric current to flow in the circuit. An actual time behavior of the electric current flowing in the circuit is monitored and a control signal in response to a divergence of the actual time behavior of the electric current from a desired time behavior of the electric current is generated.

Abstract: A base assembly for use with a riveting apparatus such as an electromagnetic riveter (EMR). In one aspect of the invention, the base assembly includes a base plate (42) having a raised beveled portion (80) extending upwardly from the upper surface (54) of the base plate (42). A mounting plate (72) fits on and is secured to the base plate (42) by a plurality of coil springs (90-93). The mounting plate (72) has a recessed portion (66) in the lower surface thereof which mates with the raised portion (80) of the base plate (42). Trip switches (104-107) are positioned in the mounting plate (72) for detection of movement of the mounting plate (72) relative to the base plate (42) in response to undesired contact between the EMR and a part assembly or fixture therefor. An output signal indication is provided when one or more of the trip switches (104-107) are actuated.

Abstract: A sheet stapling apparatus including a stapling device for stapling a set of sheets, a load detecting device for detecting a level of a load of the stapling device during a stapling operation, and a signal generating device for generating a signal when the load detected by the load detecting device is outside a predetermined range.

Abstract: A stapler comprising a striking block having a staple striking blade for striking staples on its end; a motor for causing reciprocating motion of the staple striking block over a range from the staple striking position to a stopping position apart from the staple; a switch that is provided at the location of movement of the striking block, and is turned on and off by the motion of the striking block; and a control circuit which reverses the driving direction of the driving means, moves the striking block to the stopping position, and turns off the switching means, in case the switching means is not turned off within a predetermined time after the switching means is turned on by the motion of the striking block.

Abstract: An automatic riveting machine determines that an operator has manually removed a rivet from the nose of the gun by sensing its insertion into the nose and its subsequent absence prior to gun operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing wooden pallets including a vertically-reciprocating nailing head for nailing deckboards to stringers and a limit switch arrangement for adjusting the stroke length of the nailing head individually for each deckboard, so that in each deckboard, all of the nails will be driven to a uniform vertical position. A gripper carriage effects horizontal movement of pallets at various stages of completion. Hydraulic drive means are provided for both the nailing head and the gripper carriage.

Abstract: A fastener positioning apparatus includes a magnetized engaging element for slidably holding fasteners next to an elongated member as they are pushed from a first position into a hammering position by a positioning mechanism. In the hammering position, a hammering device seats the fastener into a desired medium. The entire fastener positioning apparatus may be placed on a cart for mobile use, and controlled so as to provide automatic placement of fasteners at predetermined intervals across the medium. Alternatively, manual control may be used instead of automatic control so that fasteners are positioned in accordance with specific selection of an operator. In the cart embodiment, a feed tube connects a tray for holding fasteners with a positioning device. The feed tube may include a vibrating device to ensure proper movement of the fasteners therethrough.

Abstract: A paper binding machine is disclosed. A paper receiving frame having a channel-shaped section is secured to a base in an inclined manner. A paper binder is provided at the lower end of the paper receiving frame, while a guide frame is provided at the upper end of the paper receiving frame in such a manner that the lower end of the guide frame is disposed directly on the receiving frame. The guide frame inclined at substantially the same angle as the paper receiving frame is connected to a vibrating device, and a stopper for releasing the lower end of the opening of the paper receiving frame after binding has been completed such as to be capable of being freely opened and closed.

Abstract: An electronic component matching system operates in conjunction with a component transport arrangement wherein a component-carrying supply tape from which components are removed for positioning upon a circuit board in a matched manner is linearly displaced. The components are thus sequentially moved to a pick-up point whereupon a predetermined number N of components having similar operating characteristics are incorporated in the same circuit. As the component-carrying supply tape is displaced toward the component pick-up point, an electro-optical sensor detects the presence or absence of components on the supply tape and provides this information to a microcomputer controller.

Abstract: An electromechanical device associated with table staplers for automating the operation of such staplers. A box-like body houses and restrains a conventional table stapler. The body is provided with a camming member for controllably pressing on the movable arm of the stapler, to cause a metal staple to be ejected and its ends to be bent against the die arranged on the fixed arm of the stapler. A timer device releases the arm of the stapler and resets the camming member after a preset period of time.

Abstract: A low-wire sensor for sensing when the amount of wire W remaining on a spool 102 falls below a predetermined low level, comprising a lever 11 biased by a spring 15 so as to press against the wire W on the spool exceeds the low level and to disengage from the wire when the wire reaches said low level for movement to a wire-low indicating position in which it suitably actuates a sensor switch.

Abstract: A spike driving machine is disclosed in which a hole sensing device and spike holder are driven in toward a rail under the action of a fixed stroke piston and cylinder until a stop engages the rail. The stop has been previously adjusted to line up the hole sensing device and spike holder the correct lateral distance for engagement with the tie plate holes. Excess travel of the piston and cylinder is taken up by providing a flexible connection between an X-frame carrying the hole sensing device, the spike holder and a drive head and a Y-frame which is fixed in the lateral direction. The stroke is chosen to align the spike holder under the drive head. Thus, the arrangement can be used for rails of differing thickness simply by adjusting the stop appropriately.

Abstract: A sheet stapling apparatus including a stapling device for stapling a set of sheets, a load detecting device for detecting a level of a load of the stapling device during a stapling operation, and a signal generating device for generating a signal when the load detected by the load detecting device is outside a predetermined range.