Abstract: A device for heating a substantially solid glue stick or the like includes a heating chamber housing having a heating chamber formed therein and a separate elongated passage including a first open end for receiving a substantially solid glue stick, and a second opposed open end defining an exit opening for melted glue. The heating chamber has an open side and a positive temperature coefficient resistant cartridge positioned in the chamber for heating the housing adjacent to the passage to a temperature sufficient to soften a glue stick therein. A cam structure is located in the chamber engaged with the cartridge adjacent the open side of the chamber and a spring is mounted on the housing in engagement with the cam structure for urging the cam into engagement with the cartridge thereby to accommodate expansion and contraction of the cartridge during operation of the device.

Abstract: A glue gun having an advancing mechanism which has a longitudinally slidable carriage member with a longitudinal opening for the glue stick is provided. The carriage member has a first transverse opening in communication with the longitudinal opening and a second transverse opening in communication with the first transverse opening which is also transvers to the first transverse opening. The first transverse opening has internal peripheral bearing surfaces. A substantially T-shaped angularly displaceable gripper member is included which has an upper member defining a gripper head and a lower member defining a transverse lever. The gripper head is receivable into the first transverse opening and has a front end, a rear end, an upper end and a gripper tooth near its front and upper ends for gripping the glue stick.

Abstract: An electrically powered hand tool, such as a staple gun, can employ an electrical driver, such as a solenoid, which is actuated by a trigger circuit in response to depression of a trigger on the handle of the device. The trigger circuit can include a circuit board dimensioned to fit into the handle of the staple gun, and having AC input leads. A circuit formed of conventional electronic components delivers a burst of power to output leads which are in turn connected to a driver solenoid. This circuit is actuated to deliver the power burst by opening of a switch formed of two switch members: one switch member has a first flexible resilient conductive leaf formed, e.g., of an alloy of copper, extending beyond an edge of the board; the other member has a flexible resilient leaf with a bent-in pointed end contacting a side of the first blade. These blades are biased against each other to form a normally-closed switch. When the first blade is moved in one direction, the switch opens.

Abstract: An electromagnetic stapler having a staple driving circuit with an actuating switch, and having a levered trigger which is depressed by the user so that the lever actuates the switch, whereinafter actuation, a moving element of staple driving mechanism strikes the lever causing disengagement of the lever from the switch so that only one shot is permissible unless and until the trigger is again depressed. The trigger is useful in mechanically providing a safety one shot control for a conventional stapler having a continuous repetitive electrical driving circuit, and the trigger is readily mounted with a conventional stapler. A stapler may alternatively house a trigger permitting a continuous repetitive staple drive, or the trigger of the present invention which provides a one shot staple drive.

Abstract: This stapling machine has mechanical means to block the path of the staple plunger to prevent a staple driving operation unless the stapler is on a work piece in position to drive the staples into the work piece. The magnetic coil comprises a pair of inner and outer bobbins of high heat resisting, electric insulating material, with a barrier bobbin in between said pair of bobbins, to keep whatever might break down one of said pair of bobbins from breaking down the other of said pair of bobbins, to thereby protect electrical components of the electro-magnetic stapler. The lower end of the armature controlled by the electro-magnetic coil of the stapler, has a conical cavity at its lower end movable to a position receiving but not contacting a conical core at the lower end of the coil, to give extra power to the armature because of greater magnetic surface between the armature and core and yet preventing actual thrust contact blows between the armature and core, which might damage the stapler machine.