Abstract: An indexing system with a label display configured for connection to a stack holder for placement adjacent a stack of sheets held in the stack holder. The display has a label portion disposed in a viewing position beyond the stack and is configured for displaying label indicia thereon for identifying a section of the stack. A divider is configured for dividing the section of the stack from other sections and for mounting in the stack holder within the stack. A tab connected to the divider and positionable extending beyond the stack and over the label portion is configured to permit viewing of the indicia therethrough with the divider held in the stack holder. An indexing system package and a system for displaying indexing system packages is also disclosed.

Abstract: An ergonomic handle that includes a male portion and a female portion. The male portion nest in the female portion to form a single, preferably rigid, form. The stiffness of the handle spreads the load of the case more evenly across all the fingers thereby helping to reduce fatigue.

Abstract: A stapler is provided with a frame and a head assembly pivotally disposed in the frame between a first open position and a second clamped position. The head assembly contains all of the operative elements of the stapler necessary to carry out a stapling operation and is biased toward the open position by a biasing member disposed between the head assembly and the frame. These operative elements include a staple driving mechanism, a motor fixed to the head assembly, a cam member connected to the motor and rotated thereby. The cam member contains at least three surfaces that simultaneously form and drive staples, pivot the head assembly in the frame, and actuate a microswitch controlling power to the motor. The cam member cooperates with a first bar disposed between the frame and a spring assembly to permit the first bar to flex to accommodate varying thicknesses or amounts of paper to be stapled.

Abstract: The invention provides a shield for use on at least a portion of the exterior of a ring binder. The shield can have a hardness greater than the underlying panel of the binder. In some embodiments, at least a portion of a ring mechanism is mounted on an exterior side of the binder to act as the shield. For example, the chassis of the ring mechanism can be mounted on an exterior surface of the binder while at least one ring extends through an aperture in the binder to the interior side of the binder. Particularly, the chassis can be coupled to a mounting surface on the exterior surface of the binder's spine panel.

Abstract: A light for use with computers containing light emitting diodes, which may be directional, on one or more movable supports which is powered via the computer's USB or IEEE 1394 port. An auxiliary USB or IEEE 1394 port may be combined with the plug-in light to allow for additional devices to be connected through the same port powering the light.

Abstract: A stapler comprising a base defining a horizontal plane, a cartridge assembly coupled to the base at a cartridge attachment point, the cartridge assembly including a ram, and a lever arm pivotally coupled to the base at a lever pivot axis. The lever arm includes a grip for receiving a manual input from a user, and the lever arm is coupled to the ram at a ram input in order to provide a drive force. The stapler includes an inherent force factor, calculated as the horizontal distance from the lever pivot axis to the end of the lever arm divided by the horizontal distance from the lever pivot axis to the ram input, of at least 3.8. Preferably, the lever arm defines an effective lever axis that is at least about 65° offset from the ram axis when in the static position. When stapling, the effective lever axis is preferably offset greater than about 95° when the lever arm is compressed to the fully stapled position.

Abstract: A binder including a flat and a ring mechanism coupled to a mounting surface of the flat. The ring mechanism includes a chassis and a hinge blade coupled to the chassis. The hinge blade is movable between a first and a second position. A ring half is coupled to the hinge blade, the ring half movable between a closed position, when the hinge blade is in the first position, and an open position, when the hinge blade is in the second position. A sound deadening mechanism in the form of a dampening member is positioned at least partially between the chassis and the mounting surface to prevent the hinge blade from directly engaging the inner surface of the chassis.

Abstract: A bag for carrying various articles includes a contour panel that is curved towards the user. The bag includes a body and a strap coupled to the body for engaging a users body above the user's arms. The contour panel is adjacent a side of the body and is positioned such that it is between any articles within the bag and the user.

Abstract: An indexing system with a label display configured for connection to a stack holder for placement adjacent a stack of sheets held in the stack holder. The display has a label portion disposed in a viewing position beyond the stack and is configured for displaying label indicia thereon for identifying a section of the stack. A divider is configured for dividing the section of the stack from other sections and for mounting in the stack holder within the stack. A tab connected to the divider and positionable extending beyond the stack and over the label portion is configured to permit viewing of the indicia therethrough with the divider held in the stack holder. The stack holder preferably includes first and second covers and one of the covers is configured to permit viewing of the tab and a label indicia even when the covers are in the closed position.

Abstract: Security locks for portable electronic devices and other portable devices that have a relatively high economic value. The locks include housings that have a locking member extending therefrom. The locking member extends into a slot defined within the portable device and is configurable into a locked configuration that inhibits removal from the slot. The housing is coupled to a separate object that prevents movement of the portable device away from the object when the locking member is in the locked configuration.

Abstract: A stapler assembly includes a base and a stapler coupled to the base. The stapler is movable with respect to the base between a first position, wherein the stapler has a first orientation with respect to the base, and a second position, wherein the stapler has a second orientation with respect to the base. The base preferably includes a holster configured to receive the stapler and is pivotable to move the stapler between the first and second positions. A cradle supports the holster. A detent mechanism between the cradle and the holster includes at least two detents corresponding with the first and second stapler positions. Preferably, the stapler is an electric stapler and the base includes an electrical conductor configured to conduct power from a power supply cord to the stapler when the stapler is received in the base.

Abstract: A packaged stack of dividers comprising a container including front and back covers, at least two dividers oriented in stacked relation to each other and positioned in the container between the front and back covers, and an alignment member coupled to the stacked dividers. In one embodiment, the alignment member is positioned through holes in the dividers.

Abstract: An indexing system with a label display configured for connection to a stack holder for placement adjacent a stack of sheets held in the stack holder. The display has a label portion disposed in a viewing position beyond the stack and is configured for displaying label indicia thereon for identifying a section of the stack. A divider is configured for dividing the section of the stack from other sections and for mounting in the stack holder within the stack. A tab connected to the divider and positionable extending beyond the stack and over the label portion is configured to permit viewing of the indicia therethrough with the divider held in the stack holder. An indexing system package and a system for displaying indexing system packages is also disclosed.

Abstract: A staple forming mechanism having at least first and second configurations. The staple forming mechanism including a bend surface having a first surface width in the first configuration and a second surface width in the second configuration for forming staples having first and second crown sizes, respectively. The forming mechanism also includes at least two side portions spaced apart by a first former width in the first configuration and by a second former width in the second configuration. The side portions cooperate with the bend surface to form the staples. A stapler includes the forming mechanism and a driver including a driving surface having a first driver width in the first configuration and a second driver width in the second configuration for driving the staples of the first and second crown sizes into a stack of papers.

Abstract: A stapler includes a frame and a mounting unit configured to be selectively attached to and removed from the frame. The mounting unit includes a staple cartridge, a staple former, and a staple driver. The staple cartridge is further removable from a portion of the mounting unit including the staple former and the staple driver when the mounting unit is removed from the frame to permit replacement of the staple cartridge of the mounting unit. The mounting unit can further include a staple advancing mechanism and a reverse motion stopping mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus which inhibits the theft of equipment such as personal computers is disclosed. The equipment must have an external wall provided with a specially designed, approximately rectangular slot having preselected dimensions. An attachment mechanism includes a housing for a spindle having a first portion rotatable within the housing, a shaft extending outwardly from the housing, and a crossmember at the end of the shaft having peripheral dimensions closely conforming to the internal dimensions of the slot. An abutment mechanism also emanates from the housing, and is located on opposite sides of the shaft intermediate the housing and the crossmember. The peripheral cross-sectional dimensions of the abutment mechanism and the shaft in combination closely conform to the dimensions of the slot. The length of the shaft from the housing to the crossmember is approximately equal to the thickness of the external wall of equipment.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for reconfiguring an ID code associated with a receiver to enable a receiver to respond to data packets tagged with the ID code sent from a desired transmitter. A preferred embodiment includes a transmitter, selectively responsive to an enable command, for broadcasting a data packet at a first power level when the enable command is asserted, the data packet including an ID code, the transmitter broadcasting an ID configuration command having a configuration ID code at a second power level less than the first power level when the enable signal is deasserted. The preferred embodiment of a method for operating a transmitter includes the steps of broadcasting a data packet at a first power level when an enable signal is asserted, the data packet including an ID code; and broadcasting an ID configuration command at a second power level less than the first power level when the enable signal is deasserted, the ID configuration command including a new ID code.

Abstract: A punch for punching a workpiece. In particular, the invention relates to a punch including a base to stably support the punch and a support member configured to accommodate and locate the workpiece in a punching position. The support member is preferably movably connected to the base and preferably includes at least one punch member configured and operably associated with the support portion to punch the workpiece in the punching position upon an actuation movement of the support member with respect to the base. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a punch having a paper tray oriented at an angle with respect to the base to support a sufficient portion of a sheet of paper to prevent an unsupported portion from falling over and withdrawing from the support portion. In particular, the paper tray and punch mechanism are oriented to expel paper chips such that the chips are visible to an operator as they are punched.

Abstract: A stapler anvil and method for clinching a staple is disclosed. The anvil includes a body having a well. The well has an axis extending between the legs of a staple and is defined by a first surface having a first portion along which the first leg of the staple is directed as the staple is being clinched, and a second portion extending substantially at an angle relative to the first portion to direct the second leg of the staple at least partially away from the axis as the staple is clinched. The well is further defined by a second surface spaced from the first surface. The second surface is configured to redirect the second leg of the staple at least partially back toward the axis after the second leg has been directed at least partially away from the axis by the second portion of the first surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variety of devices suitable for mounting objects, including heavy objects, on a wall of a cubicle or similar structure. Some such devices are configured to support a flat-panel monitor for a computer, a television or a similar device. Some embodiments include a bracket which supports the device from the top of a cubicle wall. Some devices include a track with a plurality of sections, at least one of which is configured to slide within another section.